Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB on Sunday night allegedly killed two military men in a shootout at 3-3 Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha, Anambra State.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen shot dead two soldiers during the attack.
Residents said the shooting which started at about 10pm lasted for hours.
It was gathered that the gunmen had attacked some military men at a spot where they were stationed within the estate.
A source said the incident threw the neighbourhood into panic as gunshots rent the air.
The source said, “It is true. Yesterday night at the housing estate gate, gunmen attacked the military men securing us around 10pm. The attack lasted three hours. Two soldiers were killed.”
Daily Trust learnt that the gunmen also visited the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Onitsha, where they also shot intermittently.
In another development, suspected arsonists burnt down the Idemili North Local Government secretariat in Ogidi and a magistrates’ court in the area.
No fewer than four official vehicles, the magistrates’ court located inside the local government and a building housing the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) were burnt.
Videos and pictures circulating online also showed the burnt building, while vehicles parked inside the local government secretariat were also burnt.
The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development, attributing it to unidentified arsonists.
“Yes, the incident was confirmed, and our men have been drafted there to restore normalcy. Right now, the fire has been put off, and calm has been restored in the area,” Ikenga said.
He also confirmed the attack on military men in Nkwelle Ezunaka but said no life was lost.
The Head of Communication of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said the company lost about 32 utility and operational vehicles and other assets as well as equipment within the premises.
Ezeh said it took the intervention of the Commissioner for Utilities, Anambra State, Julius Chukwuemeka, to get the fire service as all efforts made earlier to reach the Anambra State Fire Service at the time of the attack proved abortive.
It was gathered that having gained access into the office complex by pulling down part of the wall, the criminals attacked one of the security personnel manning the office and inflicted several machete cuts on his head, leg and arm.
