The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for gunmen suspected to be enforcing the sit-at-home exercise, who attacked and killed three members of the Community Vigilante Services (AVS).
The gunmen has also set the vehicle of the officials ablaze at Ukpo Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
In the attack, seven others were injured, while the attackers also stormed the Abatete community in Idemili North, and killed another vigilante member.
However, one man suspected to be the President General of Ukpo town and a vigilante narrowly escaped death. They, however, sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds.
They said the incident occurred when the gunmen stormed the Ukpo roundabout, shooting sporadically and targeting a Toyota Sienna minibus carrying the vigilante members.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who had confirmed the incident, in another statement said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has vowed to fish out the criminals.
Ikenga said, “The Armed men today 18/11/2024, unprovoked by 8:45 am operating in unregistered Lexus 330 SUV and Honda FJ Cruiser SUV at Ekeagu Abatete, murdered three members of the Vigilantes and injured another unsuspecting member of the public.
“Also at Ukpo junction, Dunukofia LGA while escaping a hot chase by the Police Responding Team, shot and killed another member of the vigilante, injured another and set two vehicles ablaze.
“Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased has been recovered and the injured are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
“The CP condoles with the family, friends and Community of the deceased and states that the Police shall leave no stone unturned until those behind the barbaric act are arrested and justice served.”