A number of persons were feared killed while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in multiple attacks by gunmen in separate communities in Anambra State.
Sources confirmed that the attacks took place in Nnewi community in Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA) as well as the Nnobi community in Idemili South LGA of the State.
The source further said several persons sustained varying degrees of injuries as the assailants suspected to be enforcing the Monday sit-at-home exercise, shot indiscriminately into the air when they arrived.
The gunmen first struck in the industrial town of Nnewi when they arrived in the community at about 11 am, killing a Vigilante Commander (name withheld).
According to a source: “The gunmen arrived in three vehicles and went straight to a popular hotel at Nnewichi (name withheld). One of the persons in the hotel at the time they attacked was abducted by the gunmen.
“The gunmen shot sporadically while the bullets were flying all around the hotel’s premises. Mobile phones and other valuables were collected from the victims the gunmen met in the hotel.
“The Vigilante Commander who is popularly known as “Tallest,” after hearing about the incident, gave the hoodlums a hot chase. But when the gunmen noticed that the Vigilante Commander was pursuing them, they shot at him at a point at Nnobi in Idemili South LGA of the State.
“The development forced many people who tried to brave the sit-at-home directive to quickly close their shops and run home.”
Similarly, the hoodlums, who were said to also invade the Nnobi community in a black Landcruiser SUV, opened fire on the vigilante operatives, leaving two of the security operatives, seriously injured.
Eyewitnesses in the area narrated that the gunmen proceeded to a burial ceremony and also shot dead two other persons.
The sources added: “They later drove to Afor Nnobi and shot dead three security personnel before getting to Ahuda where one other person was killed. The injured persons were rushed to a hospital in Nnewi (name withheld) where they are receiving medical attention.
Anambra State Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the attack, however said he was yet to get the full details of the development as of the time of filling this report.
He promised to update the public with relevant information later.
Originally reported in Anambra People