Bloodbath in Anambra, 7 killed as police, robbers clash

Photo: 

Sun News Publishing

By: 

EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

Date: 

Sat, 06/23/2012 - 21:51

Seven persons were feared dead when policemen and dare-devil armed robbers engaged each other in fierce gun duel at Okija, Ihiala Council Area of Anambra State. It was gathered that the armed robbers, who were dressed in army uniform, suffered the highest casualty when they tried to double-cross a police van on patrol.

 A police source, who pleaded anonymity, told Sunday Sun that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Heinous Crimes, Zone C were on routine security patrol along Okija- Onitsha-Owerri Expressway when the armed robbers attacked them.

The armed robbers, it was gathered, were in a sport utility vehicle when they tried to overtake the IGP Squad’s vehicle and immediately opened fire on the policemen. During the gun duel, four members of the gang were shot dead while police recorded three casualties. 

“The policemen were on patrol when suddenly a black SUV car was very anxious to overtake them, then the police van apparently sensing danger refused to be double-crossed, but the robbers tried and when they got at par with the police van, they opened fire on the police  and the police too responded  and four of the robbers died,  while three policemen were also gunned down,” a source said,  adding that other members of the gang fled with  gunshot wounds while the IGP squad went after them. 

The IGP Special Task Force on Heinous Crimes in charge of Zone C covering Anambra, Delta, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi had recorded a great feat in combating crimes in Anambra, especially in the commercial city of Onitsha.