Gunmen went on the rampage in the Southeast at the weekend, leaving a trail of bloodshed in their wake.

The police in Enugu have launched a manhunt for the killers of three policemen who were on stop-and-search duty.

Commissioner of Police, Enugu Command, Ahmed Ammani, yesterday visited the scene of Saturday’s attack – Agbani Roundabout in Agbani community, Nkanu West.

Also yesterday in Enugu, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Eburummiri community, Ibagwa-Aka in Igbo-Eze South.

They abducted the parish priest, Rev. Victor Ishiwu.

Two suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were killed in a gun duel with security operatives in the state.

In Anambra, gunmen invaded Aguleri in Anambra East at about 11 am, shooting continuously into the air.

The Enugu killings occurred on Saturday morning when hoodlums numbering about 15 stormed the scene roundabout in a Lexus Jeep and Toyota Tundra vehicles.

Read Also; Gunmen attack Enugu Catholic church, abduct priest

The CP also visited Nkpokolo-Achi in Oji-River, where gunmen on Friday murdered the former council chairman Gabriel Onuzulike and his brother.

Onuzulike also served as Enugu Commissioner for Finance.

A joint police/Army team intercepted and engaged the assailants in a gunfight at the Inyi community of the same LGA as they sought to escape to Anambra.

The police said two of the hoodlums, suspected to be IPOB members, were killed, while others fled into the forest with severe gunshot wounds.

The team recovered one AK-47 rifle, one pistol with several live ammunition, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep belonging to the deceased, a Toyota Camry the assailants attempted to snatch from another victim, and a RAV4 Jeep used for the operation.

Ammani urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to assist the command with credible information to fish out the criminals.

The command said it can be reached on 08098880172, 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or on infoenugupolice @gmail.com during any emergency.

Priest abducted

The priest was abducted early Saturday during an all-night worship (adoration) programme.

“While the priest ran into the parish house and locked himself up, parishioners ran out of the church with some of us running into the bush that night,” an eyewitness told our correspondent.

The eyewitness said the abductors threatened to burn the church if the cleric refused to come out.

“So, when Fr. Ishiwu refused to heed their warning, the kidnappers forced themselves into the Parish House through the church chapel, which they cut open.

“They gained access and whisked the cleric to an unknown destination. Since that time, we have not heard anything about the priest.

“Nobody has told us anything about whether the abductors have established contacts with anybody,” the source said.

15 arrested in Anambra

No fewer than 15 persons were arrested following the shooting in Aguleri.

Our correspondent gathered some policemen and cult members who were injured but no life was lost.

Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident, saying it was a cult clash and that the situation was under control.

He said no policeman was injured.