From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Police operatives in Anambra State Command have thwarted the abduction of a foreigner (Names withheld).
They have also recovered the dead bodies of alleged notorious cultists at Nawfia in Njikoka LGA of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, Tochukwu Ikenga (SP) revealed this in a press statement made available to journalists on Monday.
He said, “Police Operatives in the morning of 6/10/2024 resisted the Abduction/kidnapping plan of a foreigner by suspected armed secessionist members in Ogbunka village.
“The Operatives courageously engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and saved the VIP. Unfortunately, during the gun duel, two Police Operatives who were hit by bullet escaped with the foreigner. They are stable and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The PPRO said operations are ongoing in the area for the possible arrest of the armed men. He also said that police operatives attached to Nimo Police Station responded to a distress call on Sunday night at about 8:25 pm of a suspected cult clash at Umuka, Nawfia.
Ikenga noted that the operatives upon arriving at the scene, found four lifeless bodies of young men in a pool of blood with suspected multiple gunshot injuries lying on the road.
He said that they were later identified as one Ebuka Nwaonkwube Ekenta of Mmimi village Nawfia, Nnatuanya Junior A.K: A Starboy of Mmimi village Nawfia, Aniemena A.K.A Osama of Umuariam Village and one Ahmed Auwal.
He said that information from eyewitnesses and some villagers revealed that the victims are known for their nefarious activities and are always in rivalry with another cult group in the area.
In another development, the Anambra State Commisioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam(CP) has ordered immediate investigations into the gruesome murder of a 17-year-old girl suspected of being used for ritual purpose.
The girl’s lifeless body was found in a bush at Omasi village on Sunday at about 4:25 pm and she was later identified as one Chinasa Adigwe from Umueje village and her private parts were cut off in a bush at Omasi village before policemen were alerted.
The CP while condoling with the family, friends and community of the deceased stated that the police would do everything possible to make sure that those behind the barbaric act are arrested and justice served.