Gunmen, Navy officers in shootout in Anambra

Scare as schools, markets close abruptly

There was a heavy shootout, on Tuesday, between some Navy officers and gunmen at Amiyi junction, Ochuche Community, Ogbaru Local Council of Anambra State.

The shootout lasted for hours as frightened residents scampered for safety. Sources said many transport operators, who had come out early to make up for the Monday sit-at-home observance, were compelled to return to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

“Gunmen and Navy people have been shooting since morning. We are scared,” said Amaka Okafor, a resident of the area.
Okafor said that residents, frightened by the gunshot sound, were forced to remain indoors.

The police Spokesperson in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident. Ikenga said the naval officers accosted the gunmen while they were obstructing and harassing innocent road users and residents who were going about their businesses in the area.

“The operatives engaged the hoodlums, who later fled the scene,” he said. The police spokesperson said patrol has been intensified in the area.

SIMILARLY, markets and schools in Onitsha and environs closed abruptly, yesterday, following rumoured attack by gunmen in Ugwuagba, Obosi, and Ogbaru areas of the state.

Many schools in Awada area closed about 12:00 noon, as parents ran to pick their children. At Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Awada Nursery and Primary school, children ran in different directions.  The Parish Priest of the church, Fr. Augustine Oburota, narrated the situation thus:

“There was chaos in schools across Awada today May 31, 2022. It could be compared to the madam Koi-koi scare many years ago in Enugu. Our pupils at Holy Infant Jesus, Blessed Iwene Tansi Parish Awada, suddenly began to run helter-skelter. When I inquired, many were in shock and could only cry, until one teacher said it was unknown gunmen scare. Many pupils rushed into the parish house,” he said. (The Guardian)