By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the gunshot attacks carried out by unidentified gunmen in Awka, the state capital, on August 30, which resulted in the deaths of two persons. The command has consequently intensified its ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators and called for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist in bringing the suspects to justice.
In a statement issued to journalists in Awka in the early hours of Aug. 31, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary information gathered by the command indicated that three unidentified persons travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number yet to be ascertained, reportedly shot two persons at separate locations within Awka.
SP Ikenga said that upon receiving the distress information, police operatives immediately mobilised patrol teams to the affected areas and commenced efforts to track down the assailants.
According to him, upon arrival at the scenes, the operatives recovered the bodies of the victims along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, and S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, Awka, respectively.
He said the victims were taken to a hospital, where medical personnel subsequently confirmed them dead.
While one of the victims is yet to be identified, the second victim was identified as Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as “Azia.” The police operatives also recovered N7,550, one Moniepoint ATM card and a pair of slippers from the scenes of the attacks.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, strongly condemned the killings, describing the incident as unacceptable and a direct affront to the peace and security of the state.
The commissioner directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for discreet and comprehensive investigation. He also ordered security operatives to intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering across Awka and adjoining areas to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.
The command urged community leaders, residents, motorists, business owners and other members of the public who may have witnessed the incidents or possess credible information about the suspects, their movements or the vehicle used in the attacks to come forward and assist the Police. It assured members of the public that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated that community partnership remains critical to effective policing and urged residents not to hesitate to provide timely information that could assist in apprehending the perpetrators and preventing further attacks.
Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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