There was pandemonium in Isuaniocha, Awka North Local Government of Anambra State at the weekend, following invasion by suspected hoodlums.
The suspects, who stormed the town around 4pm with three tinted Hilux vehicles, one Lexus 330, three shuttle buses and a Toyota Corolla car reportedly opened fire on police operatives on a peace keeping mission in the area.
The Nation gathered that while the hoodlums were driving out of the community, one of their vehicles plunged inside a ditch and caught fire around the Obibia bridge axis of the ever busy road.
An eye witness who identified himself as Okey Molokwu said road users, motorists, shop owners and residents scampered for safety during the gun duel.
“During the exchange of gunfire, the hoodlums jumped into their vehicles to run, but one of them who claimed to be a security personnel, was caught,” the witness said.
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Speaking with reporters, Acting President General of the community, Friedrich Egwunwa, said the incident was an attempt by certain criminal elements to wipe out the people of the town who had embraced peace.
He appealed to the government and Inspector General of Police to intervene in the interest of the people who were always at the receiving end during any attack.
Also speaking, a community leader, Chief Tony Onyeagolu, noted that the attack on security personnel confirmed earlier position that a particular set of persons being sponsored by a certain commissioner in the state were bent on causing chaos in the area to cover their pranks.
He wondered why Security Operatives would be conniving with some individuals already declared wanted to wreak havoc in the community.
Reacting, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said normalcy has been restored to the area as security agents had been deployed to the community.
He called on residents to coperate with Police operatives to fish out those involved in the act.