The Anambra State Police Command said its operatives repelled and dispersed gunmen, who shot sporadically in the Uli community, within the precinct of the campus of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
Some gunmen invaded the community and started shooting indiscriminately late on Wednesday while causing panic in the area.
The reason for the development has not yet been ascertained, but eyewitnesses in the area said no casualty was recorded.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the security operatives engaged the gunmen in a gun battle after which they were overpowered and fled.
Ikenga added that the police operatives were still on the trail of the gunmen, adding that more operational and intelligence resources had been deployed in the area.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command operatives have repelled and dispersed armed criminal elements, reported to have shot sporadically at the Uli community, within the precinct of the Uli Campus of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The operatives are on the trail of the hoodlums.
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“Consequently, more operatives, operational, and intelligence resources of the command have been further deployed in the area to reinforce the security of the university and its environs.
“Credible information from eyewitnesses reveals that the gunmen started shooting indiscriminately and unprovoked, thereby causing fear among law-abiding citizens of the community.”
The police PRO said no casualties were recorded and order had been fully restored in the area.
He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration and the command’s acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe, had ordered the operatives to ensure that the criminal elements were fished out.
“The acting CP reiterates the unwavering commitment of the command to maintain law and order, as well as the security and safety of residents of the community and state in general.
“Nonetheless, members of the public are advised to call the Command Control Room on 07039194332 or the Police Public Relations Officer on 08039334002, in the event of any distress. They can also use the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’, usable on Android and Apple iOS phones, to make reports,” he added.
