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A police officer and an operative of the Anambra Vigilante Group have sustained varying degrees of injuries during a gun battle with some yet to be identified assailants at a police checkpoint in Ajali community, Orumba North Local Government Area of ​​Anambra State.

It was gathered that the gunmen opened fire on the police officers when they discovered that they had been followed to the checkpoint after allegedly taking a vehicle and other items from some members of the public.

The incident, which according to eyewitnesses in the area took place late on Thursday, caused panic in the community due to several gunshots that followed for several minutes.

Though no lives were lost, eyewitnesses said that two operational vehicles of the security operatives were burnt by the hoodlums during the incident.

One of the eyewitnesses, a resident of the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The incident occurred along Umuchu-Amesi-Uga road. The armed gangsters bravely alighted from their vehicle and started exchanging gunfire with the security men when they discovered that they were being followed.

“In the process, they burned two security vehicles of the Umuchu Civil Guard; the gangsters had previously set fire to one vehicle in the area, making it three in almost a week.

“During the intense gunfight, some security officers suffered bullet injuries. But the local vigilantes fought back, leading to the unknown gunmen abandoning their Toyota Hilux vehicle and escaping as one of the police officers fired and deflated the tire.

“The recent activities of the thugs have raised concerns about the safety of residents in the area, especially as Christmas is fast approaching. The latest attack was one of many in recent times.”

The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, said the injured security personnel were rushed to hospital where they were treated.

Ikenga said the gunmen were tracked after police officers resisted an attack on a police checkpoint in Ajali, Orumba North LGA.

Ikenga said: “In the late hours of Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Anambra State Joint Security Team intercepted armed men sighted on Umuchu-Amesi-Uga Road and recovered a blue Hilux vehicle with registration number GDD 440 TJ, a suspected car. to have been snatched from an unsuspecting member of the public.

“During a search of the vehicle, coolers for storing food were found.

“The gunmen were tracked after police officers resisted an attack on a police checkpoint in Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area.

“During the gun duel, one police personnel and one AVG officer sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

“Unfortunately, the two AVG operational vehicles caught fire and were completely destroyed.”

He said joint operations in the area were still ongoing and further developments would be communicated to the public.