AWKA — Four people, including two police officers, were killed in a violent ambush on the convoy of the Chief of Staff to the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, late Sunday night.
The attack occurred between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the Amansea Awa Ufuma Road, along the borders of Orumba North and Awka South Local Government Areas. The convoy was returning from an official assignment when it came under heavy fire from gunmen who had laid an ambush in the area.
Attack Details
• Casualties: Four fatalities confirmed, including two police officers and two civilian staff members attached to the Chief of Staff’s office.
• Status of Chief of Staff: Dr. Ben Nwankwo was inside the convoy during the attack but escaped unhurt.
• Security Response: The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for operational units to identify and apprehend the attackers. The command has launched "Operation Fish Them Out" in response to the assault.
Government Response
The Anambra State Government has condemned the attack, labeling it an assault on the state's security and democratic order.
State Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Law Mefor, issued a statement on Monday expressing shock and offering condolences to the families of the victims. "This was more than an attack on one person. It was an attack on the peace, security, and democratic order of our state," Mefor said, promising that the government and security agencies are working to ensure those responsible face justice.
Security Climate
This incident marks a serious escalation in a region that has experienced frequent attacks on security personnel and government officials. Authorities have advised commuters to exercise extreme caution when traveling on the Amansea Ufuma axis, which police now consider a high-risk area for criminal ambushes.
