Police nabs 23 terrotists in Anambra state over Ukpo attack

The police command in Anambra state has paraded 23 suspected militants

Police say the 23 suspects were involved in an attack at Ukpo community

About 200 suspected terrorists reportedly stormed Ukpo, attacking

a police post

Following a terror attack in Ukpo community, the Anambra state police command yesterday, August 22, paraded 23 suspected terrorists.

Daily Sun reports that the 23 were part of scores who allegedly invaded Ukpo community, Dunukofia Local Government Area last weekend and violently attacked a police post, leaving in their trail sorrows, tears and blood.

Addressing reporters at the police headquarters, Amawbia yesterday, the commissioner of police, Sam Okaula noted that the attackers numbering about 200, who operated like suspected terrorists, had stormed Ukpo community and descended on a police post while engaging in heavy firing.
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The CP noted that going by their number, they overwhelmed the four policemen on duty and, instantly , killed the security guard, Emmanuel Okafor.

“The assailants went further to bomb the police post and 10-room self-contained Police Barracks, having completely burnt down two police vehicles.

“DPO Ukpo, who led a patrol team to the scene was shot. Three other policemen received various degrees of bullet wounds from the assailants” the CP disclosed.

He recalled that based on intelligence gathering  by the police, prior to the attack, the assailants held a meeting at Owelle Inn, Abagana,  a hotel belonging to one Emmanuel Nwude, where the dastardly plan was hatched.

He disclosed that he led a team of officers to the scene, and based on intelligence report, 10 of the assailants were arrested at the hotel in Abagana while detectives further arrested 13 other suspects from their various hideouts, among whom was one Amobi Ezekwe Ugbo, their suspected kingpin.
He noted that a team of officers from the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) identified and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while recovering another one at the scene.

Among the weapons recovered that were displayed to reporters included four pump action guns with two live cartridges, three AK 47 rifles , three locally made pistols, cutlasses and other arms.

The CP, while declaring the readiness of the command to maintain optimum security of lives and properties in the state, noted that from the magnitude of the unwarranted attack, the perpetrators embarked on what appears to be like an act of terrorism.

Declaring that Anambra state is very safe, he said investigation is currently on top gear, while those found culpable will face the full wrath of the law no matter their societal status.

Meanwhile, the manhunt launched by security agencies for Benue State’s notorious gang leader, Terwase Akwaza, alias Ghana, 67 members of his gang have been arrested.

Five of them were arrested  with eight pump-action shotguns and one Beretta pistol.

Governor Samuel Ortom, who disclosed this on Monday said 62 of them had been arrested earlier.

He said: “I will not submit the state to criminals and I can assure you that Ghana will surely be arrested in no distance time.”

According to the governor, ‘Ghana’ and his men are killers and 62 of them have been arrested in connection with cases of rape, assassination, armed robbery and kidnapping.

Ortom said: “Terwase Akwaza was allegedly involved in the killing of my Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr Denen Igbana, who rescued 13 persons who were kidnapped without the payment of ransom.”

He said Akwaza had keyed into the amnesty programme but he later went back to his old ways.

The governor said as a result of his (Ghana’s) criminal attitude, government terminated the contract that was given to him.

He added:  “Over 700 weapons and explosives as well as ammunition were surrendered by Akwaza, members of his gang and other persons who numbered over 900 and I want to challenge  those asking questioning about the search for Akwaza to thank God that they are alive today.”

On corruption, the governor said any member of his cabinet found to be diverting public funds would be shown the way out and he would continue to lead by example.

Ortom commended Agba for taking University of Mkar to the next level and urged him to keep the flag flying.

Earlier, the outgoing VC had told the congregation that the university owed 13 months staff salaries when he assumed duty but the situation had improved.