Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a violent attack on a joint team of soldiers and police officers in Anambra State, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The suspects were apprehended following a coordinated security operation launched in the aftermath of the assault, which occurred over the weekend in the commercial hub of Onitsha. According to security sources, the assailants ambushed a patrol unit, opening fire and injuring at least two personnel before fleeing the scene.
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made based on “credible intelligence,” and that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation.
“The command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, acted swiftly to identify and apprehend those involved in the incident,” Ikenga stated. “We will not tolerate any form of violence against security agents performing their lawful duties.”
Recovered from the suspects were firearms, ammunition, and communication devices believed to have been used in coordinating the attack. Authorities have not ruled out links to separatist or criminal groups operating in the region.
Security forces have increased patrols across flashpoint areas in the state, as part of a broader effort to clamp down on insurgent activity and rising cases of targeted attacks against law enforcement.
Anambra State has witnessed intermittent violence over the past year, attributed to both armed criminal gangs and suspected members of proscribed separatist groups. The federal government has pledged to restore stability in the region through enhanced intelligence-sharing and joint task force deployments.
Meanwhile, local leaders are calling for calm and cooperation from residents as investigations continue. “This is a time for communities to support security efforts, not undermine them,” said Chief Obinna Nwafor, a community leader in Onitsha.
The suspects are expected to be formally charged once investigations are concluded.
