By Okechukwu Onuegbu
At least two soldiers were gunned down on Saturday, at Afor-Uzor junction, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State during a gun battle with gunmen.
Isuofia, which had been under hoodlums attack since 2021, is hometown of Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Late Hon. Okechukwu Okoye of Aguata II constituency, who was equally killed in the town by hoodlums about five months ago.
Sources claimed that the gunmen who were in large numbers attacked Isuofia army checkpoint early morning, having gained entrance through a neighbouring community, Umuona, and killed two soldiers at the spot.
"We were at our house when I heard the gunshots. At the end of the battle, we saw two lifeless soldiers and four dead bodies of the hoodlums. We were told by the soldiers who survived the attack that they demobilised and killed all the hoodlums," the source added.
But Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the report, failed to state if soldiers were killed or not but noted that the situation has been brought under control.
"Meanwhile four of the criminal elements were neutralized and police/military patrols has been intensified in the area. The joint task force also recovered some of their operational vehicles which include Venza jeep and others. Further details shall be communicated please as operation is still ongoing," he noted.
On his part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu, maintained that Toyota Avenza been used by the hoodlums was recovered, assuring the safety of the citizens.