A deadly attack unfolded in Umunze community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State as armed assailants stormed a local vigilante facility in the early hours of Friday.
The assault claimed the life of one security operative in what appears to be a coordinated strike.
According to Vanguard, the targeted facility, believed to be part of the Agunaechemba Security outfit established by the Anambra State government, serves as a critical security post in an area notorious for cross-border criminal activities.
Umunze has been identified as one of several hotspots where gunmen from neighboring states have repeatedly unleashed violence.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attackers overpowered the stationed operatives during the violent encounter. The assailants reportedly set five operational vehicles ablaze and partially burned the security outfit’s office before fleeing the scene. During the intense gun battle, one vigilante member sustained fatal injuries while others were forced to retreat to save their lives.
Anambra State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, though the attackers’ precise motives remain unclear at this time. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development while appealing for public cooperation.
“The police-led joint security force has taken over the scene to ensure that those responsible were held accountable,” Ikenga stated. “Investigation is ongoing and further developments will be communicated as more information becomes available.”
Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu strongly condemned the brazen attack, emphasizing the critical role of community participation in combating criminal elements. The incident has heightened security concerns in the region, particularly given Umunze’s vulnerability to cross-border incursions by armed groups.
Security forces have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area as authorities work to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind this latest attack on the state’s security infrastructure.
