the police in Anambra State Two gunmen have been killed in Obosi, a community in the Idemili North local government area of the state.
Police spokesman in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the incident occurred around 11:39 pm Sunday when officers on a routine patrol approached the gunmen.
Ikenga said the thugs operated a white Toyota Hiace bus, a red Toyota Corolla and a motorcycle along Obosi-Nkpor Road in the community.
“The officers engaged the gunmen in a shootout and neutralized two of the thugs,” he said.
“During the gunfight with the thugs, the superior firepower of the operatives caused the assailants to flee the scene with the Toyota Hiace bus and motorcycle.”
The police spokesman said the command stepped up patrolling in the area and also “improved operational positioning to respond to distress calls” to arrest fleeing gunmen.
A bomb action, a locally made pistol and a red Toyota Corolla vehicle were recovered from the gunmen, according to police.
Ikenga said police recovered a white Mercedes Benz 350 the same day, suspected of having been used by some criminals in the area.
He said the vehicle was recovered along Central School Road, Umusiomen, Ogidi, another community in the same council area.
READ ALSO: Police kill two people for driving against traffic in Ogun
The police spokesman said officers rescued two suspects from an angry crowd along Ziks Avenue in Awka, Awka South Council Area on Tuesday.
He said the suspects, Okoye Stephen, 19, and Chukwuemeka Nwudo, 27, were caught trying to rob a woman.
“The suspects were already beaten to a stupor by the angry mob before they were rescued by police,” he said.
State Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng urged police officers to “keep up the pace” in fighting crime in the state, Ikenga said.
Echeng, who condemned the resort to jungle justice by state residents, said suspected criminals should be taken to the nearest police facility.
“This will help the police conduct proper investigations into the activities of suspects and bring them to justice in accordance with existing laws,” Echeng said.