The Obosi community in Anambra State’s Idemili South Local Government Area is in turmoil after gunmen attacked a Police Anti-cult Unit, killing one police officer and a vigilante.
Arsonists arrived in three unmarked vehicles – a Toyota Highlander, a Toyota Sienna, and a Toyota Corolla – and attacked the police station with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and burned down parts of the building.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident,, the police command quickly deployed personnel to the location after receiving information about the attack at around 11 p.m. on Thursday.
According to a police spokesperson, a police officer and a vigilante were fatally injured during the gunfight; however, the police recovered the explosives and other dangerous weapons and extinguished the fire.
“On 2/2/2023 at 11 p.m., police operatives attached to the anti-cult unit, Obosi, Idemili South, averted a planned arsonist attack on the anti-cult unit, Obosi, and recovered unexploded explosives and other dangerous materials,” DSP Ikenga said.
“The hoodlums came in three unmarked vehicles, a highlander, one Toyota Sienna, and one Toyota Corolla started shooting sporadically and threw petrol bombs in the station.
“The operatives stood firm, engaged the criminals and thwarted the heavily planned damage to the buildings in the formation.
“During the gun duel by the responding team comprising of Police and vigilante operatives, unfortunately, one Police operative and a vigilante member were fatally hit by a bullet and the already fire ignited by the patrol bomb they threw inside the police compound affected partially a few of the offices.