23 suspected terrorists arrested in Anambra after attack on Ukpo community

Police on Monday paraded  23 persons  who allegedly invaded Ukpo community, Dunukofia Local Government Area last weekend and violently attacked a police post.

The attackers  numbering about 200  had unleashed mayhem on the community in a manner characteristic of terrorists.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command,  Sam Okaula, who paraded the suspects, addressed  reporters at the Police Headquarters, Amawbia.

According to him,  the attackers engaged in heavy firing.

The CP noted that going by their number, they overwhelmed the four policemen on duty and, instantly , killed the security guard, Emmanuel Okafor.

“The assailants went further to bomb the police post and 10-room self-contained Police Barracks, having completely burnt down two police vehicles. DPO Ukpo, who led a patrol team to the scene was shot. Three other policemen received various degrees of bullet wounds from the assailants,” the CP disclosed.

Okaula said that intelligence reports by the police the attack was hatched at Owelle Inn, Abagana,  a hotel belonging to one Emmanuel Nwude, where the culprits met before the attack.

He said that he led a team of officers to the scene, and based on intelligence report, 10 of the assailants were arrested at the hotel in Abagana while detectives further arrested 13 other suspects from their various hideouts, among whom was one Amobi Ezekwe Ugbo, their suspected kingpin.

He noted that a team of officers from the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) identified and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while recovering another one at the scene.

Among the weapons recovered that were displayed to reporters included four pump action guns with two live cartridges, three AK 47 rifles , three locally made pistols, cutlasses and other arms.

The CP, while declaring the readiness of the command to maintain optimum security of lives and properties in the state, noted that from the magnitude of the unwarranted attack, the perpetrators embarked on what appears to be like an act of terrorism.

Declaring that Anambra State is very safe, he said investigation is currently on top gear, while those found culpable will face the full wrath of the law no matter their societal status