The police command in Anambra has condemned the killing of a vigilante commander and two others as well as the abduction of one person by unknown gunmen in Nnewi Hotel on Monday.

The command’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Onitsha, said the police commissioner, Nnaghe Itam, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the fleeing armed men.

Mr Ikenga said that the gunmen operated in a red Highlander SUV and abducted a resident in Nnewi at about 1:30 p.m. on Monday. He said that the police trailed the gunmen to Nnobi, in Idemili South LGA, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle.

Mr Ikenga said during the gun duel, one of the security operatives was fatally hit by a bullet from the hoodlums.

“In an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area. The police response team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital.

“Regrettably, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old lady, were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty, while two others are currently receiving treatment,” he said.

The spokesman said that the commissioner of police condemned the killing in strong terms, describing the killers as cowards who had murdered sleep.

He commiserated with the families of the deceased and vowed to get justice for the heroic act of the murdered vigilante operative and innocent bystanders at the scene.

The police commissioner also asked the public, especially witnesses, to provide the police with information on the ongoing operation.

A witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the hoodlums who carried out the act were enforcing the Monday sit-at-home order. The source also said that the gunmen collected cell phones and other valuables from their victims in the hotel.

According to the source, the development forced many people who disobeyed the sit-at-home order to close their stalls and run home quickly.

(NAN)