The operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Group have killed two suspected gunmen said to be terrorising residents of the state.
It was gathered that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
The Ihiala LGA is a border town between Imo and Anambra states and the hoodlums were said to have been terrorising members of the communities around the areas and also forcing them to comply with the Monday sit-at-home.
According to sources in the area, the gunmen, numbering about 15, stormed the camp of the vigilante operatives, thinking they were asleep and attempted to open fire on them before the security officials quickly mobilised and repelled them in a gun battle.
One of the sources said, “At about 3:00 am today, some hoodlums launched an attack on Anambra Security Forces but were vehemently resisted.
“Two of the gunmen were gunned down during a hot exchange of fire and two AK-47 rifles were also recovered, while many fled the scene.
“Many of the gunmen who fled as they could not withstand the superior firepower of the security operatives, sustained various degrees of injury and bullet wounds, while members of Anambra Security Forces were unscathed.”
While reacting to the development, Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Aburime said, “The need for a sane and secure environment in Anambra State remains a top priority of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration. Accordingly, security forces remain unrelenting in their resolve to protect the lives and property of ndị Anambra, travellers, and all residents alike.”
Some of the residents who spoke about the development expressed delight, saying the hoodlums have been terrorising the area for a long time now.