Police kill 4 suspected separatist agitators during 15 - hour gun battle in Anambra

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By Madu Obi

Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Awkuzu, have killed four suspected member of separatist agitators in Anambra State.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) Agunechemba.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the operatives stormed the camp at Awa, Orumba North local government area and engaged them in a battle.

He said that during the well-coordinated operation that lasted for more than 15 hours, the operatives successfully dislodged the insurgents and rescued a victim who had earlier been kidnapped and held hostage in the camp.

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According to him, despite the payment of a ransom of ₦20 million by the victim’s family, the hoodlums refused to release him until he was eventually freed by the Joint Security Team.

Ikenga stated that during the fierce gun battle that ensued, four members of the group were neutralized.

He added: "Exhibits recovered at the camp include: two pump action guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, one K2 assault rifle, one locally made hunter gun, one radio transmission box, three locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two empty gas cylinders.

Other exhibits recovered were two wraps of cable wires, three bags of 50 kg rice, one driver’s license, one National Identity Card, one black Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Reg. No. ACA 340 MA, three Toyota Camry cars with Reg. Nos: ABC 268 FQ, EKY 151 CD and FGG 706 ME.

Also recovered are one black Toyota Camry car, five mobile phones (Infinix X6716B, Tecno Spark KL4 and three analogue phones, sleeping materials, one desert boot, one big cooler, and a roll of tarpaulin."

Reacting on the operation, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, assured that the command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring safety and security of the people.

He explained that extensive operations are ongoing in the area to track down and arrest other fleeing suspects and destroy other criminal camps in the state.