Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gunmen on Sunday night ambushed a team of police officers returning from an official assignment along the Amansea–Ndiora–Ndiukwuenu–Awa–Ufuma Road in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two officers instantly. The attack, which occurred around 9:00 p.m. on May 31, 2026, sent shockwaves through the quiet communities along the road and marked a worrisome return to violent crime in a state that had enjoyed months of relative calm following aggressive security operations against armed gangs.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants had laid siege in a nearby bush and opened fire on the approaching patrol vehicle as soon as the officers drew close. The gunshots sent panic across the surrounding area, forcing commuters to flee for safety. A commercial tricycle operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he was returning from a journey in Ezira when he suddenly heard heavy gunfire. “I left my tricycle and went back for safety,” he said. “After the shooting subsided, I resumed my journey and got to the point where the shooting happened and discovered that two police officers had already been gunned down and were lying lifelessly on the road.” Another eyewitness, a keke rider who was plying the route, recorded a voice note appealing for urgent intervention, stating that one of the officers appeared to still be alive when he passed the scene. The voice note quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread concern.
Videos circulating online showed the lifeless bodies of the two officers lying beside their patrol van in a pool of blood, with onlookers calling for the attention of relevant authorities. The identities of the deceased officers have not been officially released pending notification of their families.
Confirming the incident on Monday, June 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the attack as an ambush carried out by armed men targeting the returning officers. “A team of police officers was returning from an assignment when they were ambushed by armed men who opened fire on them. In the process, we lost two officers,” Orutugu said. He added that the command had already commenced investigations and intensified efforts to track down those responsible. According to him, security operatives have been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks and restore normalcy. The commissioner also warned motorists and members of the public to be cautious when approaching unfamiliar or unverified checkpoints. “Whenever you approach a checkpoint without police vehicles or clear police identification, you should exercise caution. Either turn back and alert the nearest police formation or immediately contact the police for assistance,” he advised.
The Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for comment when journalists attempted to contact him. As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released beyond the commissioner’s confirmation.
The attack comes at a time when Anambra State had been experiencing a period of relative peace following heavy crackdowns on criminal elements, particularly gunmen masquerading as Biafran agitators. The Sunday night ambush has raised fresh concerns about security along rural routes in the state, especially the stretch connecting Awa, Ufuma, and surrounding communities. Residents and road users have called for increased patrols and the establishment of more security checkpoints in the area to prevent a recurrence of such deadly ambushes.
As the investigation continues, the bodies of the two slain officers have been deposited at a mortuary, and the command has vowed to leave no stone unturned in tracking down the perpetrators. The attack serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges facing police personnel in the South‑East, even in areas that had recently been declared relatively safe.
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