DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesman in Awka, verified the occurrence on Saturday.
He stated that the incident occurred on Saturday at 10.30 a.m. near the Afo-Uzo intersection in the Isuofia community, when criminal elements opened fire on a joint police and military checkpoint team.
Security personnel also discovered a grey Toyota Venza with the licence plate Lagos: KRD 344 BT, according to Ikenga.
He reported that the situation had been brought under control and that security patrols in the area had been increased.
"The situation is under control following the neutralisation of five criminal elements and the intensification of police and military patrols in the region," he said.
The police spokesman stated that the operation was in response to a distress call received at 10:30 a.m. from the Afor-Uzo Isuofia Market area, where it was reported that criminals had attacked a security checkpoint.
"The Joint Forces from FOB Aguata responded quickly, engaged the criminals in a gun battle, and neutralised five of the armed guys, while others fled the scene with bullet wounds in a dark blue Lexus 470 without a licence plate," he claimed.
Ikenga stated that CP Echeng Echeng, while directing the operatives to maintain the tempo of the assault against criminal elements, ordered patrols to be stepped up and operational positions to be improved in response to distress calls.
In the meantime, Mr. Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information, lauded the valour of the security personnel for neutralising the attackers in Isuofia.
"In a furious exchange of gunfire, our valiant and vigilant security agents gave them a vigorous pursuit and swiftly returned fire, neutralising five gang members."
He said, "Their Toyota Venza, which they used to start killing people, was found."
Nwosu reminded the public of the government's dedication to their safety, particularly before, during, and after the holiday season.
Therefore, the information commissioner provided the following telephone numbers for the public to call in the event of a security threat in their respective locations:
These are the relevant numbers: 09017280990, 07039896429, 09167514891, 09076237441, 09168041120, 08093175528, and 08124153139.
