The Anambra police says security operatives have neutralised five gunmen in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, the country home of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday in Awka, the state capital.

He said the incident happened about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, near Afo-Uzo junction in Isuofia Community, when the criminal elements opened fire on the joint police/military team at a checkpoint.

Mr Ikenga said the security operatives also recovered one grey-coloured Toyota Venza jeep with registration number Lagos: KRD 344 BT.

He said the situation was brought under control, and security patrol had been intensified in the area.

The police spokesman said the operation followed a distress call at about 10:30 a.m. from the Afor-Uzo Isuofia Market area that some hoodlums attacked a security checkpoint in the area.

“The Joint Forces from FOB Aguata responded swiftly, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and neutralised five of the armed men while others escaped with bullet wounds from the scene in a dark blue Lexus 470 jeep without number plate,” he said.

Mr Ikenga added that the state commissioner of police, Echeng Echeng, while charging the operatives to sustain the tempo of the onslaught against criminal elements, ordered patrols to be intensified and improve operational positioning in response to distress calls.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, in a statement, praised the gallantry of the security team for neutralising the gunmen in Isuofia.

“Our gallant and alert security agents gave them a hot chase and immediately returned fire and neutralised five of the gang members in a fierce exchange of shootings.

“Their Toyota Venza with which they launched the deadly operation was recovered,” he said.

(NAN)