UGA, Nigeria – Gunmen attacked a convoy in Anambra, believed to be that of Chris Uba, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain. The attack resulted in the tragic death of two police officers attached to the controversial politician.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene at the Uga Junction in Aguata Local Government Area, where the convoy encountered the assailants around 5pm on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
“Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the gunmen who were stationed at UGA junction, leading to a shootout,” an eyewitness reported.
Despite Uba’s vehicle being bulletproof, which facilitated his escape, the police personnel were less fortunate.
Valentine Ozigbo, a 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial Candidate and chieftain of the Labour Party, narrowly evaded the incident.
Ozigbo was returning from Owerri in Imo State with his family when his convoy was forced off the road by Uba’s rapidly approaching vehicles.
Speculation suggests that the gunmen intended to kidnap the politician. Several injuries were reported, but it remains unclear if any abductions took place.
“We witnessed what happened. Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the men who were stationed at UGA junction, leading to a shootout,” an eyewitness told Daily Post.
“Uba was able to escape because he was riding in a bullet proof vehicle, but the policemen were not so lucky as they were killed.
“Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy, and attempting to edge him off the road. He quickly told his driver to clear off the road let the other convoy pass by.
“Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at UGA junction who started shooting, and killed two policemen. Ozigbo who parked while the incident was happening, later learnt that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba.”
WARNING: The citizen journalist video below shows the aftermath of the attack. It shows the bodies of the killed security personnel and a truck picking up the slain policeman. The content is graphic and might be triggering for some viewers. Please proceed with caution.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the incident and announced an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
“The armed insurgents infiltrated from a neighbouring State,” DSP Ikenga stated, describing how the officers were caught off-guard and killed while attempting to clear traffic congestion.
The police response included the recovery of a Lexus SUV used by the gang, an improvised explosive device, and a slain officer’s AK-47 rifle.
CP Aderemi Adeoye of the Anambra State Police Command praised the bravery of the officers and extended condolences to their families and the Enugu State Police Command.
“Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.),” the police said in a statement obtained by The Trent on Friday.
“The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction.
“They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.
“Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations promptly responded to the scene.
“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all Officers and men in the Command commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.
“He urged them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.
“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.
“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel,” the statement ended.
