The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with the Joint Security Task Force, has successfully dislodged a notorious criminal camp located in Ogbunka, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who said the coordinated security operation was carried out on Thursday following intelligence gathered over a period of time.
According to Ikenga, the operation was led by the Police in conjunction with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Navy, the Department of State Services, and the Anambra State Vigilante Group.
“The security operatives were acting on information received over time and dislodged a criminal camp at Ogbunka,” Ikenga said.
He revealed that the operation, which lasted for six hours, resulted in a fierce gun battle between the security operatives and the armed hoodlums.
“The JTF were in a six (6) hours gun battle with the armed criminals, but due to its superior firepower, diffused some explosives used as shields on the camp by the hoodlums,” he stated.
The police spokesperson said that during the raid, several items were recovered from the scene, including cooking utensils, foodstuffs, and dismembered parts of vehicles suspected to have been stolen.
Although some of the criminals managed to escape, they were reportedly injured by bullets during the encounter. Ikenga said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He noted that the joint team had taken control of the area to prevent a resurgence of criminal activity and to ensure sustained security presence.
Ikenga also quoted the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, as assuring residents that security operatives remained committed to maintaining law and order throughout the state.
According to the police commissioner, “security agencies will not in any way compromise the confidence reposed in them.”
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the efforts of security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in combating crime.
