Anambra: Gunmen shot dead two Policemen

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Abor Akuzor, in Umusiome village, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State was attacked by unknown gunmen on Monday killing two policemen and wounded many others.

They also destroyed some parts of a hotel under construction over what was seen as a way of expressing anger over the disputed land in the area.

The two policemen killed by the gunmen were said to be attached to Ogidi Police Station and were on patrol in the embattled Abor Akuzor kindred which had been previously invaded by unidentified gunmen.

The killing of the two policemen came on the heels of a similar incident in the area during which a middle aged woman, Mrs Ogechi Okechukwu, was killed on Sunday.

They also destroyed a hotel under construction belonging to the chairman of Abor Akuzor kindered, Chief Okechukwu Nwafoagu, and other buildings in the neighbourhood.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ogidi Ploice Station Mr Kanayo Uzoegwu, confirmed the incident.

Also contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Raphael Uzoigwe who said he was going to Ogidi in connection with the matter said the policemen were on routine township patrol in the area when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen.

The PPRO said: "We are still investigating the incident and surely we are going to arrest the hoodlums. We will however address the press at the appropriate time, but we want to asure that police will not take it lightly with trouble makers in the area."

Abor Akuzor kindred has been embroiled in a protracted land dispute with their neighboring Oramadike village, Ogidi, also in the same council area, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties, which resulted in the constant police and military patrol in the area.

This attack on Abor Akuzor was the third time since May this year, and in all, the hotel which is at the roofing stage was attacked and properties like generator, bundles of roofing sheets, water tanks, borehole and building materials were destroyed and set ablaze.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, had because of crisis in the area, summoned the chairmen of Abor Akuzor and his Oramadike countapert to Abuja, where they were made to write and sign undertaking to the police to maintain peace and order with their subjects.

Nwafoagu, whose hotel and property were destroyed, blamed the police for not acting early on the information his people had given them.

He said, "In all the attacks, I have always called the security agencies in and outside the state and sent text messages to all their heads. I have been saying it that the activities of these hoodlums should be checked to avoid loss of lives.

"My people have provided necessary information on where to arrest them; their source of arms, yet this information have not been acted upon."