The Anambra State Police Command, alongside a joint security team, has successfully raided a criminal hideout located in Ogbunka, within the Orumba South Local Government Area of the state. The raid, which took place over the weekend, was the result of a well-coordinated operation driven by intelligence gathered over time.
The joint team, comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and the local vigilante group, engaged the armed criminals in a fierce six-hour gun battle. The firefight, according to police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga, was intense, but the security forces’ superior firepower ultimately subdued the criminals. During the operation, some of the suspects managed to flee the scene, despite suffering injuries from gunshots.
In addition to neutralizing some of the criminals, the security team also recovered a large quantity of stolen goods. Among the items seized were various relief materials, including pots, foodstuffs, and components of vehicles that had been dismantled. These goods are believed to have been stolen from various sources, adding to the list of criminal activities the group may have been involved in.
“The Police-led Joint Security Team, comprising the Army from the 302 Artillery Regiment (GS), Navy from the Naval Command, Department of State Security, and Anambra State Vigilante, acting on information received over time, dislodged a criminal camp at Ogbunka,” Ikenga stated. He also noted that the team had successfully neutralized explosives used by the criminals as shields during the attack, further securing the area.
Despite the successes, the report emphasized that several criminals managed to escape, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Some of the suspects reportedly fled with bullet wounds. To prevent further disruptions in the region, security forces have maintained control of the area and are continuing their search for the remaining fugitives.
In a statement, the police assured the public that they are committed to upholding the safety and security of the people of Anambra. “The Anambra State Police Command, alongside other security agencies, assures residents that the confidence reposed in us for the protection of lives and property will not be taken for granted,” Ikenga said.
