Six Suspected Armed Group Members Neutralized as Security Forces Storm Forest Camp in Anambra
By Chibuzo Obidike
Security forces in Anambra State have recorded a major breakthrough in their ongoing fight against armed criminal groups, following a joint operation that led to the neutralisation of six suspected members of an armed group at Amiyi in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, involved personnel of the Nigeria Police Force Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, Department of State Services, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Nigerian Navy personnel from Ogbaru and Agunaechemba operatives.
Acting on credible intelligence, the team reportedly trekked for about four hours through difficult terrain and dense palm forest before reaching a suspected criminal camp.
The encounter quickly turned into a fierce gun battle after the suspects allegedly opened fire on the advancing security personnel.
At the end of the confrontation, six suspected members of the armed group were neutralised, while others reportedly fled into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.
Two pump action guns and charms were recovered from the camp, while structures believed to have been used by the group were dismantled to prevent the location from being reoccupied.
However, the operation came at a heavy cost.
One security operative was killed while another sustained injuries after an explosive device suspected to have been planted in the area detonated during the operation. The injured operative is currently receiving medical treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel and community based operatives for their courage and determination, particularly given the difficult terrain and hostile conditions encountered during the operation.
He described the operation as another demonstration of the importance of intelligence sharing, inter agency cooperation and community support in dismantling criminal networks and denying them safe havens.
The CP also condoled with the family and colleagues of the fallen operative and wished the injured officer a full and speedy recovery.
He assured Ndi Anambra that security agencies would sustain intelligence driven operations across the state to uncover criminal camps, recover illegal weapons and prevent violent groups from establishing operational bases.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies, stressing that the cooperation of communities remains critical to maintaining peace and security across Anambra.
