The Anambra Police command on Sunday night killed four of the gunmen who invaded the state.
Three operational vehicles of the hoodlums were recovered by the gallant policemen who repelled their attacks.
Though Police Commissioner, Chris Owolabi, said no policeman was killed during the attack, unconfirmed reports indicated three of them may have been killed during the shootout with the gunmen in Awka.
But the collection office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six of its vehicles were set ablaze by the hoodlums.
PRESS RELEASE
INEC Offices Attacked in Anambra, Enugu and Imo States (Contd).Photo Caption: Aftermath of the attack on Ahiazu Mbaise LGA Office in Imo State???? pic.twitter.com/OXnjwYdUrl
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) May 24, 2021
The gunmen stormed the capital city in three hilux vehicles, shooting repeatedly at about 9.30pm to disperse residents.
They torched the charge room of the B Division of the Nigeria Police office, opposite Chief Jerome Udoji Secretariat in Awka while a Sienna vehicle parked outside the outpost was riddled with bullets.
An eyewitness, said they drove from ifite road to Dr Alex Ekwueme square before moving to the INEC office shooting non- stop, like in a war situation.
The CP, while briefing newsmen at the INEC office Monday, maintained there was no casualty on the side of the State Command
He said normalcy had been restored to the State, urging residents to go about their normal businesses without any fear
Owolabi said: “it was a 95 percent success for us on Sunday because God is on our side. The attack on our charge room at B Division was a decoy to attack INEC office
“We mobilised and waited for them. My men were in their element. We demobilised their three vehicles, recovered six pump action guns, one AK -47 and one General Purpose Machine Gun from them.
“It was unfortunate that they succeeded in burning collection centre of INEC and four vehicles, but it was a huge success for us. We didn’t record any casualty but investigations are still going on and after it, we give you full details.”
However, one of the Senior Police Officers told The Nation three of their men had been taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka.
The source said nobody knew whether they were dead or alive, adding the Command got information of the planned attack Sunday morning, which was why the hoodlums did not commit more damages.
Another eyewitness, said the attack lasted for about two hours with gunshots.
