Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Police Command has launched a massive manhunt for the gunmen who ambushed the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, killing two police officers and leaving several civilians injured.
The attack occurred at about 8:30 pm on Sunday, 31 May 2026, along the Amansea–Ufuma Road in Orumba South Local Government Area. Dr. Nwankwo had attended a function on behalf of the governor in the Awa‑Ndiukwuenu‑Ufuma area and was returning to Awka when the assailants, who had laid an ambush in a nearby bush, opened fire on the convoy, according to a police statement.
Two police officers were killed in the ensuing gun duel, and several civilians sustained injuries. The Chief of Staff escaped unhurt with the assistance of his official driver. A tricycle operator who witnessed the event told newsmen that he heard heavy gunshots and turned back for safety. After the shooting subsided, he returned to the scene and discovered the lifeless bodies of the two officers lying on the road beside their patrol van.
A viral video circulating on social media shows the two policemen lying in a pool of blood, while a voice in the background calls for the attention of the relevant authorities.
In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, convened an emergency security meeting at the State Police Command Headquarters in Awka on Monday, 1 June 2026. Addressing senior officers, the CP issued a 48‑hour ultimatum to all formations and operational units, ordering them to fish out the perpetrators. “I want you to fish out the attackers and the killers of our officers. I demand immediate action to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act. I want results. The people of Anambra State must know that the police are fully in charge and ready to protect them,” Orutugu declared.
He announced the launch of “Operation Fish Them Out,” stressing that criminals would no longer be allowed to exploit the cover of night to carry out violent attacks. “This kind of killing cannot happen under my watch. We must bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to their activities,” he added.
The police chief also raised concerns over emerging criminal tactics, warning that intelligence reports indicate some attackers now disguise themselves in police and military uniforms. He urged members of the public to be vigilant and to exercise caution while travelling along the Amansea–Ufuma Road, which he described as an isolated stretch that has recently become a hotspot for criminal ambushes.
Efforts to contact the office of Governor Soludo for comment were unsuccessful, as the governor’s media aides had not responded to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report. The bodies of the slain officers have been deposited in a mortuary, and investigations are ongoing.
Security analysts say the attack underscores the growing audacity of armed groups operating along isolated highways in Anambra State, raising renewed concerns over the safety of public officials and commuters. The police command, however, maintains that coordinated security responses are underway and that those behind the attack will be brought to justice without delay.
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