The Anambra State government has vowed to bring justice to the gunmen who ambushed the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Dr Ben Nwankwo, killing four people.
The four includes two police officers and two civilians.
Expressing shock on the attack, Commissioner of Information, Dr Law Mefor, said in a statement that the attack was more than “an attack on one person,” but “an attack on the peace, security, and democratic order of our state, as well as the Government and people of Anambra.”
The convoy of the Chief of Staff to the Governor was ambushed on Sunday night, May 31, 2026 between 8:00pm and 9:00 pm at the Orumba North–Awka South borders while returning from an official assignment.
He however escaped unharmed, reportedly due to the swift actions of his official driver during the attack.
The statement said: “Sadly, four people lost their lives and deserve justice. The Anambra State Government sends its deepest condolences to the families of those who died and share in their grief.
“The Police and other security agencies are working to find and to bring everyone involved in this evil act to justice.
“This isolated incident after more than one year of peace and security in the state will not affect our determination to remove all forms of crime from Anambra.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has given all formations and operational units of the command 48 hours to apprehend the attackers responsible for the k!lling of two police officers.
A statement by the State Police Command said that the directive was issued on Monday during an emergency security meeting with senior police officers and heads of operations at the command headquarters.
The statement noted that the “Commissioner of Police demanded swift action, stressing that such an attack on security personnel would not be tolerated under his leadership.”
The Commissioner of Police was quoted as saying: “I want you to fish out the attackers and the k!llers of our officers. I demand immediate action to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act. I want results. The people of Anambra State must know that the police are fully in charge and ready to protect them.”
According to him, the slain officers must get justice, adding that he cannot remain silent while police personnel continue to lose their lives at the hands of criminals.
“I hereby declare ‘Operation Fish Them Out.’ Criminals cannot continue to take advantage of the night to unleash violence in the State.
“This kind of killing cannot happen under my watch. We must bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to their activities,” he ordered.
Orutugu also urged members of the public to be vigilant and cautious of individuals posing as security personnel at checkpoints.
He noted that investigations had revealed that some criminal elements now operate while dressed in police and military uniforms.
“The general public is hereby advised to be vigilant concerning persons operating at various checkpoints, as some miscreants now wear security uniforms while carrying out criminal activities,” he said.
The Police Commissioner further warned motorists and commuters to exercise caution while travelling along the Amansea-Ufuma Road, describing it as a lonely stretch that has recently become a haven for criminal activities.
“The Amansea-Ufuma Road is a particularly isolated route. Commuters and members of the public should exercise caution while using the road, as it has, in recent times, become a den of criminal elements,” he added.
Orutugu, however, reassured residents that the command remains committed, prepared, and battle-ready to guarantee the safety of lives and property across Anambra State.
He expressed confidence that significant breakthroughs would be achieved within the next 48 hours.