The Nigeria Police have given insight into how gunmen attacked and killed nine people including two security operatives while they were preparing for a burial ceremony in Ihiala community of Anambra State on Monday.
Spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Tuesday that the two security operatives were killed while the gunmen were escaping.
Ikenga, who revealed that Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam had visited the scene, however, said one of the victims in the attack was responding to treatment, adding that the survivor was rescued by operatives of the Joint Security team.
Stating that the Commissioner of Police had ordered immediate manhunt of the gunmen, the Police Spokesperson said the CP interviewed some eye witnesses during his visit to the scene of the incident.
According to the statement: “The Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate manhunt of the assailants who attacked security operatives and unarmed civilians in Ihiala by 11.20am Dec. 30.
“The unfortunate attack resulted in the death of seven persons among which are two unarmed passers-by.
“The Joint Security Team rescued one of the victims who is currently responding to treatment in a hospital,” Ikenga added.
“The CP who was on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene interviewed some eye witnesses of the incident.
“Information also had it that the armed men started shooting sporadically at a venue where preparations were ongoing for a burial ceremony slated for Jan. 2, 2025.
“Also, while escaping the scene, the armed men shot at two Security Operatives at a security Observation Post close to the Local Government Headquarters by the Express Road.
“To this end, the CP extends his condolences to the families and friends, especially the good people of Ihiala over the sad incident.
“He further assured that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would be hunted down.”
