Information reaching 247ureports.com obtained from a consortium of eyewitnesses and local vigilante indicate that the attack on the Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa may have been carried out by local operatives within the Anambra State area.
Loading ...It is not believed to be a politically motivated attack. This is according to a security expert who spoke exclusively to our reporter. “The Ihiala area has served a haven for IPOB criminal activities since the days preceding the Anambra gubernatorial election when a series of politicians were attacked in the area. The area was a no go area during that period”. He added that the group were pushed out of Imo State.
According to the security expert, a local criminal gang operating within the Ihiala community may have carried out the attack. Top on the list of suspects is the criminal gang popularly refereed to as the Ochiagha gang. They are believed to have carried out the attack judging by their previous activities.
The credible but unverified source pointed to the criminal gang as having orchestrated the attack that killed three police officers attached to the Delta State Governor.
Ochiagha group is a notorious gang that claims to be operating the auspices of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra [IPOB] & Eastern Security Network [ESN] through the leadership of a fellow named Temple who has been known to operate in the Ihiala region. But local vigilante members point to their activities has having to involve armed robbery, arson and kidnapping. “They are hiding under IPOB to commit crimes“.
247UREPORTS had reported that four police officers attached to Gov. Okowa were ambushed on Friday by gunmen.
According to police release by the public relations officer, Mr. Ikenga Tochukwu, the criminal gang were operating along the Orlu—Isseke Road in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State when the police officers who were coming from Abia State and were returning to their base at the Delta State government house ran into an ambush. Exchange of gun shots ensued. Three of the officers died and one injured.
Local eyewitnesses indicated that the gunmen escaped after the shooting using the police vehicle. Some of the eyewitnesses identified the vehicle as possibly a dark coloured Toyota Pickup truck.
The Anambra State Police Command had earlier assured that the Command is very poised to fishing out and bringing to book, the criminals behind the dastardly act.
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Below is the police release on the attack:
