In a brazen attack on the self-styled godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba, gunmen ambushed his convoy at UGA junction, leaving two police operatives dead. Daily Post reports that the assailants, disguised in military fatigue, targeted the convoy in what appears to be a kidnap attempt.
According to a witness, the convoy, headed by Uba, encountered the armed men stationed at UGA junction, leading to a fierce shootout. While Uba managed to escape unharmed in a bulletproof vehicle, two police officers lost their lives in the exchange of gunfire. Notably, another politician, Mr. Val Ozigbo, narrowly escaped the attack by allowing the assailants' convoy to pass.
Ozigbo, returning from Owerri with his family, witnessed the violent confrontation and parked his vehicle to avoid the crossfire. It was later revealed that the attacked convoy belonged to Chris Uba.
The motive behind the attack was suspected to be a kidnapping attempt, but details regarding injuries and potential abductions remain unclear. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, with the Anambra State Police Command launching a manhunt for the attackers.
A press release by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the state police command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating that the armed insurgents infiltrated from a neighboring state. The attackers, wearing military attire, opened fire on police officers, prompting a swift response from the police-led mobile Forward Operating Base. The ensuing confrontation forced the assailants to flee, leaving behind a Lexus SUV used in the operation.
The police also discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) in the vehicle, which was promptly defused. An AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain police officers was recovered at the scene.
While expressing condolences to the families of the deceased officers, Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, commended the officers for their bravery in confronting the criminal gang. He reassured the public that technology would be employed to track down the attackers, emphasizing that the personnel's sacrifice will not be in vain.
The incident adds a chilling layer to the political landscape in Anambra, raising questions about the security of political figures and the potential motivations behind such a targeted attack.
