By John Ugo, Awka
Armed struck in the early hours of the morning at the Ekwulobia Office of Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ANTMA) in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State killing an official of the agency.
The incident is coming less than 24 hours after gunmen on Monday night swooped on residents of Nnobi in Idemili North LGA killing three persons. It was not certain if the gunmen who killed the traffic officer were members of a rival secret cult group or armed robbers.
A source close to the scene of the incident said the ANTMA official whose name could not be immediately ascertained, was controlling traffic at the busy Ekwulobia junction close to the roundabout when he was shot.
The armed men were said to have fired at him from behind shattering his head in the process.
The body of the ANTMA Official was said to be lying at the spot he was gunned down several minutes later.
The Public Relations Officer (PPTO) of the State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident when contacted.
He said operatives of the command have embarked on patrol with a view to arresting the fleeing gunmen.
“The Anambra State Police Command today 08/02/2022 has embarked on robust patrol around the state with the aim to apprehend suspected hoodlums sighted along Ekwulobia, Umunze road this morning,” DSP Ikenga said.
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the hoodlums in an attempt to disarm a mobile Police officer on patrol shot sporadically. He said the officer returned the fire immediately, engaging the hoodlums, which made them flee the scene.