By Kamsi Anayo
In what was described as bloody Thursday, hoodlums identified by the locals as unknown gunmen metaphorically took over Uga,a community in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to an eyewitness, the incident took place around 5.50pm on the fateful Thursday.
The hoodlums in their scores were said to be kidnapping people freely while in operation for hours without any form of resistance.
An eyewitness narrated, this, “It was a rain of bullets at UGA Roundabout, Aguata LGA this evening( Thursday) 28 /12 /2023 around 5:50 pm as UGM came in their large numbers from Umuchu – Umunze road, all carrying AK47 Assault Riffles and kidnapping people at random in flashy cars.
“They were not in a hurry to go and remained for long unchallenged. When they sighted a group of policemen coming up from Ezinifite axis, they opened fire and gunned down two of them. Very sad. People were seen screaming, running and scampering away for their dear lives as the gunshots were deafening and frightening.
“Bullets from their AK 47 shattered the windows of CAPAD Filling Station though as at press time, no injuries was recorded therein.
“Anambra state remains a target zone from hoodlums coming from neighbouring states and elsewhere. We call on all to be cautious and security conscious while we pray for those officers on duty who regrettably lost their lives in these needless carnage at the time of our yearly Christmas festivities.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga,confirmed the incident, but said information available to the command about the incident was sketchy
The PPRO said, ”The information is still sketchy, as soon as we get the details an official statement shall be released by the command, please.”