Some yet-to-be-identified assailants, in the early hours of Monday, attacked the Ogidi Police Station in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was gathered that the hoodlums invaded the area in an unmarked Toyota Hiace bus, a Toyota Hilux and three motorcycles.
A source in the area, who did not want his name in print for security reasons, said the hoodlums shot indiscriminately in an attempt to gain access to the police station but were resisted by the policemen on duty.
Eyewitnesses said one of the assailants was killed during an exchange of gunfire with security operatives.
The incident made it the fifth time hoodlums will be attacking police formations in the state in February alone.
When our correspondent visited the area, residents were seen discussing the incident in groups.
One of the landlords in the area, who gave his name as Kelechi Ibe, said, “We are worried by the upsurge of attacks on police and security formations in our locality. It is a bad omen, security agencies should carry out due diligence and embrace technology in tackling this problem.
“It was a panic situation last night. There is a need for communities to start installing Closed Circuit Televisions at strategic places if they must contain this menace. The attacks are becoming too frequent and this is worrisome.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the police operatives did not record any casualty on their side.
Ikenga said, “Today, February 13, 2023, by 2.15am, police operatives foiled an attack by armed men on the Ogidi Police Station, demobilised one of the armed men and recovered many expanded cartridges and 25 litres of PMS.
“The hoodlums/arsonists came in their numbers with an unmarked Toyota Hiace bus, a Toyota Hilux and three motorcycles, started shooting indiscriminately and attempted to gain access to Ogidi Police Station, Idemili North.
“They were fiercely resisted by police officers on duty and due to the superior gunfire of the security operatives, the hoodlums flee the scene while one of the armed men was neutralised by the operatives. The police facility is intact and no casualty was recorded on the side of the police.
“The area has been reinforced by the tactical teams of the command, and the operation is still ongoing. Further details shall be communicated, please.”
