Gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria’s southeast, killing three officers on Thursday morning.
The assailants opened fire on the checkpoint along Umunze-Ihite Road, killing three officers on the spot. Following the attack, shop owners in the vicinity closed their shops for fear of being hit.
A video clip circulating on WhatsApp groups showed the three bodies of the slain officers lying close to the checkpoint.
Tochukwu Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police and spokesperson in Anambra State, confirmed the incident on Thursday evening and stated that it is “unfortunate that the killing of the officers is part of the highest prices security officers pay in serving the nation.”
Ikenga disclosed that police reinforcements had been sent to the area, while a joint security patrol had been intensified in the area.
Anambra State has experienced a deterioration in security like other states in the southeast, with frequent attacks on security agencies, government officials and facilities.
The incident occurred a few days after gunmen kidnapped an unidentified man at Afor Market Junction along Nnobi Road in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region.
However, IPOB, which is fighting for an independent state of Biafra, denied any involvement in the attacks.
