At least, two policemen are feared dead with a patrol vehicle and a motorcycle burnt during two checkpoints attacks and shootings in Enugu State on Wednesday evening.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the shooting in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu, on Thursday.
A NAN correspondent, who visited the scenes of the attacks within Obeagu-Amechi in Enugu South Local Government Area and Amagunze in Nkanu East on Thursday morning, saw the burnt vehicle and motorcycle.
The remains of the two policemen and civilian, allegedly killed by the yet-to-be identified gunmen, had been evacuated.
It was observed that police condoned off the area and diverted traffic at the section of the Enugu-Amechi-Agbani Road, in Obeagu-Amechi community, on Thursday.
The police spokesman, however, said that information about the incidents at the two checkpoints within the two council areas was sketchy.
“Meanwhile, preliminary investigations have commenced. Further development will be communicated, please,’’ he said.
However, an eyewitness and commercial tricycle rider, Mr Obinna Nweke, who spoke to NAN on the incident at Obeagu-Amechi community, said that the shooting that started at about 5:30pm lasted for over an hour.
Nweke said that the checkpoint at the Obeagu Amechi community was manned by about 12 fully-armed policemen as he passed through the checkpoints three times while plying the route picking his passengers.
“What happened at the section of the road at Obeagu Amechi community was like a war situation as the heavy shooting continued unabated and everybody had to run for safety.
“After the gun duel between the police and the unknown gunmen around 7pm, the Enugu-Amechi-Agbani Road was deserted,’’ he said.
A student, Mr Chimezie Okoh, said that he passed through the road at about 6:45pm when the shooting had stopped at the Obeagu-Amechi community.
“Thank God, myself and the commercial motorcycle operator carrying me are still alive and not hit by stray bullets emanating from the cross-fire.
“However, I saw a policeman whose head had been shattered with bullets and another policeman lying lifeless.
“And after passing a small bridge near the checkpoint, I saw a lifeless civilian, probably hit by stray bullet, in front of a building suspected to be a church,” he said.
However, the actual cause of the attacks could not be established as of the time of filing this report.
