Three police officers were killed, on Saturday, when gunmen bombed Ogidi Police Divisional Headquarters in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria’s south-east.
The incident happened at the early hours of the day, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.
Sources told this newspaper that the gunmen invaded the police facility in large numbers with explosives devices.
“Many policemen were killed by the gunmen,” Amos Udo, a resident of the community, told PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr Udo said the sporadic gunshots fired by the gunmen terrified many residents, forcing some of them to flee their homes despite heavy darkness during the attack.
The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said three officers were killed by the gunmen during the attack.
“The Anambra State Police Command has reinforced security in Idemili North Local Government Area following the attack on the Ogidi Area Command in the early hours of Saturday, 18 February 2023, where three policemen paid the supreme price,” he said.
The police spokesperson said the gunmen threw improvised explosive devices and petrol bombs which enabled them to gain access into the facility.
“Unfortunately, the buildings in the police facility were affected,” he said.
Mr Ikenga lamented the loss of lives and other valuables during the attack.
He said the police in the state would remain “resolute” in fighting the criminals who carry out attacks across the state.