Tony Oraeki, Awka
At least 10 people including police operatives and some civilians were killed at Nkwo market of Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka local government area as unidentified gunmen attacked the convoy of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Uba represents Anambra South Senatorial zone in the red chamber under the Young Peoples Party, YPP.
Sources said the gunmen opened fire on the convoy in the late evening, and police operatives in the convoy responded, but about six policemen were gunned down.
The source said the gunmen may have been after the senator, but there are no evidence to prove this.
Party Iwoti, community leader said, “Sen Ifeanyi Ubah was attacked today by hired killers in Enugwu Ukwu. It was a calculated attempt, it wasn’t an impromptu stuff.
“Information was gathered about the time of movement and takeoff. The policemen were about 7 in number and they were attacked.
“All their arms were collected.The boys that spearheaded that attack were about nine in numbers.”
But another source who begged not to be named said six policemen were killed in the attack.
Every attempt to reach Senator Ubah for confirmation as his line remained busy all through.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed that there was an attack on men of the command at Enugwu-Ukwu, but insisted that the casualty figure remained unknown.
He said: “Yes, there was an attack at Enugwu-Ukwu today, but the casualty figure is not clear. As I speak to you, the CP has personally led a team of men to the scene, and normalcy has been restored.”
The Senator was attacked while returning to Nnewi, his home town from a function.
A source said the gunmen didn’t look like people who accidentally accosted the senator’s convoy, rather they seemed prepared and knew their target, and were adequately armed for the job.
“We were all at the Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu junction, and there was nothing like danger around, until the convoy came along.
“Some people said the men were lurking around, and from all indication, they were receiving information about their target.
“It was when the convoy came along, at the busy junction that they opened fire on it,” the source said.
The source said the senator may have been injured as he struggled to get out of his car as the shooting continued.
“He was only saved because he was riding in a bullet proof car, and after a long shooting, he now came out of the car. We suspect that he may have been injured,” the source said.
