Escalating Attacks on Police in Anambra State Raise Concerns

 

Anambra State has witnessed an alarming increase in violent attacks on security personnel by gunmen disguised as secessionists, leading to significant casualties among police forces. These assaults, which have occurred in areas such as Nnewi and Nnobi, have left law enforcement officers dead and heightened fear among the ranks.

In two separate incidents, gunmen ambushed police teams, resulting in the deaths of officers and further exacerbating the tension in the state. The first attack took place in Nnewi, where a police officer was killed after gunmen launched an assault at a checkpoint around 9 am. Despite attempts by the police to repel the attackers, the assailants resorted to using an improvised explosive device, leaving one officer fatally wounded.

A week later, a similar attack occurred in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area. Gunmen targeted a police checkpoint near the Nnobi Police Headquarters at approximately 6:30 am, engaging the officers in a gunfight that lasted nearly an hour. In this confrontation, another officer, identified as Nwaibi, who was driving one of the police vehicles, was killed.

Reports indicate that the attackers were well-organized, with some allegedly lodging in a nearby house before launching their assault. They forced residents to open gates, confiscated their mobile phones, and issued threats to ensure silence.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the attacks and announced that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend those responsible. SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the command, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that police operations were underway in response to the violence.

The attacks have sparked widespread concern, with many speculating that secessionist elements could be behind the violence. However, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the incidents, asserting that their Eastern Security Network (ESN) was established solely to protect Biafraland from external threats, not to confront Nigerian security forces. IPOB maintains that their movement remains non-violent and that the attacks are part of a strategy to discredit their efforts.

Within the Anambra State Police Command, morale has reportedly plummeted due to the ongoing violence. Officers are increasingly fearful as they carry out their duties, with some expressing concerns about the lack of support and assurances regarding their safety. Despite multiple attempts to reach out to the state police command's spokesperson for further comments, no response was received.

As the situation in Anambra State continues to deteriorate, the need for a coordinated response to protect law enforcement officers and restore order has become more urgent than ever. The ongoing attacks not only threaten the lives of police officers but also undermine the overall security in the region.