Police arrest attackers of Senator Ngige's convoy, kill two suspects

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By Madu Obi

The Anambra State Police command says it has arrested some members of the gang that attacked the convoy of the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, killing two of them in a gun battle.

In what the command described as a major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property, it said operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, laid ambush to the five - man armed suspects at Enugwu Agidi junction and engaged them in a gun battle.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operatives, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, engaged the hoodlums, who were suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist.

The PPRO's statement read: "Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for two hours which resulted to fatal gun shot injuries on two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

"The operatives also recovered one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cult red beret and one black Toyota Highlander vehicle."

Ikenga said that while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed that the gang members were part of those who launched an unsuccessful attack on the convoy of the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

He added that the suspect also confessed to belonging to the striking squad of Vikings confraternity on a mission to retaliate the killing of one of their members by another rival cult group.

Commending the operatives for their gallantry, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.

He advised hospitals and related medical facilities to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but endeavor to report such to the nearest Police Station.