Anambra Police Launch Manhunt After Two Officers Killed

The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of two policemen who were shot dead along the Amansea–Ndiora–Ndiukwuenu–Awa–Ufuma Road in the Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.

The directive to fish out the killers of the policemen was issued on Monday by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, during an emergency security meeting held at the State Police Command Headquarters in Awka.

Orutugu briefed senior officers and heads of operational units of the command on the urgency of the situation.

Our correspondent gathered that the policemen were ambushed and attacked during a convoy operation on Sunday night while returning from an assignment.

The attack was also said to have involved the convoy of Chief Ben Nwankwo, the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who had attended a function on behalf of the governor and was returning to Awka when the incident occurred.

Although the Chief of Staff reportedly escaped unhurt, some civilians in the entourage were injured in the gun duel that lasted several minutes.

According to eyewitnesses in the area, the assailants, who had laid siege in a nearby bush, opened fire on the officers as soon as they approached, with the gunshots sending panic across communities along the road.

One of the eyewitnesses, a tricycle rider who plies the road, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was returning from Ezira in Orumba South Local Government Area when he suddenly heard gunshots and immediately turned back to seek safety.

He said, “The incident happened last night. I was returning from a journey when I suddenly heard gunshots. I abandoned my tricycle and turned back for safety.

“After the shooting subsided, I resumed my journey and got to the point where the shooting occurred, only to discover that two police officers had been gunned down and were lying lifeless on the road.”

In a video circulating online, the two policemen were seen lying on the road beside their patrol van in a pool of blood, while a voice in the video called for the attention of the relevant authorities.

When contacted on Monday about the development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, confirmed the incident.

Orutugu said the command had already commenced investigations and was taking necessary action.

He said, “A team of police officers was returning from an assignment when they were ambushed by armed men who opened fire on them. In the process, we lost two officers.

“The police have been working on the matter since Sunday night and have intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the attack.

“I want you to fish out the attackers and the killers of our officers. I demand immediate action to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.

“I want results. The people of Anambra State must know that the police are fully in charge and ready to protect them.

“The slain officers must get justice. We cannot remain silent while police personnel continue to lose their lives at the hands of criminals.

“I hereby declare ‘Operation Fish Them Out.’ Criminals cannot continue to take advantage of the night to unleash violence in the state.

“This kind of killing cannot happen under my watch. We must bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to their activities.”

Orutugu also urged members of the public to be vigilant and cautious of individuals posing as security personnel at checkpoints, noting that investigations had revealed that some criminal elements now operate while dressed in police and military uniforms.

“The general public is hereby advised to be vigilant concerning persons operating at various checkpoints, as some miscreants now wear security uniforms while carrying out criminal activities,” he added.

The CP further warned motorists and commuters to exercise caution while travelling along the Amansea–Ufuma Road, describing it as a lonely stretch that has recently become a haven for criminal activities.

“The Amansea–Ufuma Road is a particularly isolated route. Commuters and members of the public should exercise caution while using the road, as it has in recent times become a den of criminal elements.

“However, we reassure residents that the command remains committed, prepared, and battle-ready to guarantee the safety of lives and property across Anambra State,” he added.

He also expressed confidence that significant breakthroughs would be achieved within the next 48 hours.

The incident occurred less than a month after the Nigeria Police Force announced the tragic loss of 17 police officers who paid the supreme price in service to the nation.

They were killed in a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, in the early hours of May 8, 2026.

The officers were reportedly undergoing specialised operational training at the institution when they lost their lives after terrorists launched a coordinated attack from multiple directions at about 1:15am.