Monday, July 20, 2026

Police officers, civilian killed in Enugu checkpoint attacks

At least two policemen are feared dead, a patrol vehicle and motorcycle burnt in two checkpoint attacks and shootings in Enugu on Wednesday evening.

• July 22, 2021
A composite of Usman Baba Alkali and gunmen used to illustrate the story
A composite of IGP Usman Baba Alkali and gunmen used to illustrate the story

At least two policemen are feared dead, a patrol vehicle and motorcycle burnt in two checkpoint attacks and shootings in Enugu on Wednesday evening.

The command’s spokesman Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the shooting, without giving further details, in a statement in Enugu on Thursday.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the scenes of the attacks within Obeagu-Amechi in Enugu South local government area and Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA on Thursday morning, saw the burnt vehicle and motorcycle.

Remains of the two policemen and a civilian, allegedly killed by the unknown gunmen, had been evacuated.

Police have cordoned off and diverted traffic at the section of the Enugu-Amechi-Agbani Road in the Obeagu-Amechi community, where the attackers razed the vehicle and motorcycle.

However, the police spokesman said information about the attacks at the checkpoints within the two council areas was still sketchy.

“Meanwhile, preliminary investigations have commenced. Further development will be communicated, please,’’ he said.

However, an eyewitness and commercial tricycle rider, Obinna Nweke, said the shooting that started at about 5:30 p.m. lasted for over an hour.

Mr Nweke revealed that about 12 fully-armed policemen manned the checkpoint at the Obeagu Amechi as he passed through the checkpoints three times while plying the route picking his passengers.

“What happened at the section of the road at Obeagu Amechi community was like a war situation as the heavy shooting continued unabated and everybody had to run for safety.

“After the gun duel between the police and unknown gunmen around 7:00 p.m., the whole Enugu-Amechi-Agbani Road was deserted,’’ he said.

Another witness, Chimezie Okoh, explained that he passed through the road at about 6:45 p.m. when the shooting had stopped at the Obeagu-Amechi.

“Thank God, myself and commercial motorcycle operator carrying me are still alive and not hit by stray bullets emanating from the crossfire.

“However, I saw a policeman whose head had been shattered with bullets and another policeman lying lifeless.

“And after passing a small bridge near the checkpoint, I saw a lifeless civilian, probably hit by a stray bullet, in front of a building suspected to be a church.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Olayemi Cardoso

Economy

CBN faces growth-inflation dilemma as MPC meets amid calls to hold or cut rates

Most economists expect the MPC to leave the MPR, the benchmark interest rate, unchanged at 26.5 per cent when it announces its decision on Tuesday.

Canadian immigration officials

Diaspora

Canada warns Nigerians, other nationals against immigration scammers

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a scam alert on Sunday, warning the public against paying “fees for a chance to be sponsored”.

40 children, women drown in Jigawa boat crash

Rights

40 children, women drown in Jigawa boat crash

A boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized in the Malamawa community, Ringim council area of Jigawa, leaving at least 40 people drowned.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC's Bola Oyebamiji and the scenarios of violence in Osun State

Heading 2

Osun governorship poll gathers momentum amid pre-election violence 

Mr Adeniran said political thuggery was still dominant in the state despite efforts of security agents to check criminal activities.

Lightning strike photo used to illustrate this story (Credit: Britannica)

States

Lightning strike kills six people in Adamawa

The police command in Adamawa has confirmed the death of six people following a lightning strike in the Ganye council.

Motorists on Calabar road

States

Cross River govt exempts women, elderly drivers from vehicle registration, levies

The Cross River government has exempted women in commercial transport and men aged 60 and above from paying vehicle registration and daily operational levies.