Anambra Police Smash Gang Behind Attack on Ngige’s Convoy

The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a major operational success following a high-stakes gun battle that led to the arrest of a notorious criminal gang. The group has been officially linked to the recent violent assault on the convoy of the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige. The breakthrough occurred during a tactical ambush orchestrated by the police, which left two suspects dead and several others fleeing with life-threatening injuries.

This confrontation is being hailed by security analysts as a significant blow to the network of armed robbers, cultists, and secessionist militants who have recently terrorized the South-East. According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, the operation was a product of “painstaking intelligence gathering” and swift execution by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) based in Awkuzu.

The drama unfolded at the Enugwu Agidi junction, where police operatives lay in wait for the gang based on a tip-off. Upon sighting the officers, the criminals, who were traveling in a black Toyota Highlander, immediately opened fire. The ensuing exchange was described by witnesses as a “war zone,” with the fierce gun battle reportedly lasting for nearly two hours as both sides traded heavy fire.

As the smoke cleared, two of the armed suspects were found with fatal gunshot wounds, while three of their accomplices managed to escape into the nearby bushes. Before one of the wounded suspects succumbed to his injuries, he provided a chilling “deathbed confession” to the police. He admitted that their gang was responsible for the ambush on Senator Ngige’s convoy and revealed their deeper affiliations with organized crime.

The dying suspect identified the group as a specialized “strike squad” belonging to the Vikings confraternity. He further confessed that at the time of the police ambush, the gang was on a retaliatory mission. They were allegedly seeking revenge for the killing of one of their members by a rival cult group, a revelation that highlights the volatile intersection of cultism and high-profile political violence in the region.

The aftermath of the battle yielded a significant haul of weaponry and incriminating evidence. Police recovered a sophisticated T.06 rifle and two pump-action guns, along with dozens of rounds of live ammunition and cartridges. Perhaps more telling were the non-ballistic items found: a collection of “criminal charms” intended for spiritual protection and a red beret, a known symbol of the Vikings cult.

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu has since commended the RRS operatives for their gallantry in the face of superior numbers. He noted that the bravery of the officers prevented what could have been another bloody cult-related massacre in the state. The Commissioner has now ordered an intensified manhunt for the remaining gang members who are currently at large and likely seeking medical attention.

In a proactive security measure, the police command has issued a stern directive to all hospitals and traditional healing centers across Anambra State. Medical facilities are urged to treat individuals presenting with gunshot wounds but are legally mandated to report such cases to the nearest police station immediately. Failure to do so, the command warned, would be viewed as an act of harboring dangerous fugitives.

The attack on Senator Ngige’s convoy had previously sent shockwaves through the political establishment, raising fears about the safety of public figures during their visits home. This police breakthrough serves as a morale booster for the residents of Anambra, who have been clamoring for more aggressive policing to counter the rising wave of “unknown gunmen” and cult-related assassinations.

Security experts suggest that the confession linking the Vikings confraternity to the attack on a former minister indicates a dangerous evolution in cult activities. It suggests that these groups are no longer confined to campus skirmishes but have transformed into well-armed mercenary units available for political hits and highway robberies. The recovery of the black Highlander also suggests the gang had the logistical capacity for high-speed getaways.

For the families of the victims of the convoy attack, this news provides a glimmer of justice. The police have assured the public that the investigation is far from over. They are currently analyzing the recovered items and digital signatures found in the vehicle to trace the gang’s wider network, including their financiers and the sources of their sophisticated weaponry.

As Anambra State continues its “clean-up” operation against criminal elements, the Enugwu Agidi victory stands as a testament to the power of community-led intelligence. The police have reiterated their appeal to the public to remain vigilant and continue providing the “credible information” that made this operation possible.

The battle for the soul of Anambra’s security remains ongoing, but the decimation of this specific “strike squad” is a clear signal from the authorities. The message is loud and clear: there will be no safe haven for those who seek to destabilize the peace of the state, regardless of their affiliations.