Death Toll Rises to Four After Attack on Soludo’s Chief of Staff

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A combined team of the Nigerian Army, Police and the Agunechemba Security Squad has placed Ndiukwuenu Community in Orumba North Local Government Area under heavy surveillance following a weekend attack on Chief Ben Nwankwo, Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The assault, which initially claimed the lives of two police officers, has now been confirmed to have killed four people in total – the two officers and two civilians who were travelling with the Chief of Staff at the time of the incident.

According to the Agunechemba Security Squad, intelligence suggests the perpetrators operate from Awka, the state capital, using a white jeep to launch guerrilla-style attacks on neighbouring communities before retreating back into the city.

During the security operation, personnel seized control of major flashpoints and combed surrounding bushes in an effort to uncover the assailants’ hideouts. That search led to the arrest of one suspect found wearing police camouflage.

Further investigations have revealed that the gunmen may have established a new camp in the area, months after being dislodged from Ufuma and neighbouring communities by security forces. It also emerged that some local residents and indigenes were aware of the gunmen’s activities but had been reluctant to come forward, citing fear and apprehension.

Commissioner Rebukes Community Leaders

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, who led the operation, reprimanded the local ward councillor, the community’s President-General and his deputy for allegedly allowing criminal elements to operate within the area without promptly alerting security agencies.

Mr Orutugu charged them to work closely with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.

Confirming the gunmen’s modus operandi, the Publicity Secretary of the Agunechemba Security Squad, Mr Nweke Nweke, said: “We have kept a close watch on these criminals, and we can state categorically that they are not residents of the area. They come from Awka, carry out their operations in a guerrilla-style manner, and then retreat back to the capital city.

“This is largely because our outfit has intensified operations within the capital city, making it difficult for them to perpetrate their criminal activities there. As a result, they now target neighbouring communities close to Awka.

“We are already working in collaboration with other security agencies through joint patrol operations to nip the crime in the bud. Significant progress has been made in intelligence gathering, and this indicates that we are closing in on the perpetrators.”

Mr Nweke added that information supplied by members of the public and residents of affected communities had greatly assisted ongoing investigations.

Government Vows Justice

In a statement, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, assured residents that those responsible for the attack would not escape justice. He said the state government remained fully on top of the situation and was coordinating efforts to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended.

Dr Mefor said: “This was more than an attack on one individual. It was an attack on the peace, security, democratic order, government and people of Anambra State.

“Sadly, four people lost their lives in the incident, and they deserve justice. The Anambra State Government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and shares in their grief during this difficult time.

“The police and other security agencies are working tirelessly to identify, apprehend and bring everyone involved in this evil act to justice.

“This isolated incident, coming after more than one year of relative peace and improved security in the state, will not deter our determination to eradicate all forms of crime and criminality from Anambra State.”

The councillor representing Ndiukwuenu Ward, the President-General of the community and the Vice President-General have been drafted to join the joint security team in the ongoing manhunt for the gunmen responsible for the killings.