Many are feared dead as gunmen attack police checkpoint in Anambra
By Emma Ogbuehi
The rising spate of insecurity in the South East geo-political zone, re-echoed on Tuesday when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Anambra State.
According to The Nation many are feared dead during the attack with others reportedly injured.
The incident occurred around 10:30 am between Ihiala-Uli axis in Ihiala local government area. The ensuing confusion forced commuters to run for their lives as the gunmen shot repeatedly.
Commercial bus operators promptly abandoned the Onitsha- Owerri expressway for fear of being killed. Even security operatives reportedly removed their uniforms and took cover in nearby bushes and houses.
There was no confirmation of the attack by the Anambra Police spokesman Ikenga Tochukwu. Sources however maintained that the Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng has dispatched special squad to Ihiala to quell the situation.
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Lately, the relative calm that seemed to have returned to the region, appeared to have been shattered by the gradual resurgence of violence and attacks by criminals.
Only recently, governors of the South East raised alarm over insecurity in the region manifested in kidnappings, wanton killings and called on the Federal Government to come to their aid. They specifically asked the federal government to assist in providing security in the area.
The governors made the demand at their recent meeting in Enugu. In the interim, the governors agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.
At the meeting were, Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (host), Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ebonyi State Governor/Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, David Umahi, while the governors of Anambra and Imo states, Prof. Charles Soludo and Senator Hope Uzodinma were represented by their deputies, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Prof. Placid Njoku, respectively.
Governor Umahi who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, expressed regrets at the state of insecurity in the region, adding that the situation has brought economic activities in the zone to a halt, while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day.
