Gunmen Kill Five Soldiers In Anambra

Five soldiers were feared killed and their operational vehicle destroyed during an attack by gunmen in Ihiala, Anambra State, late Friday.

The incident happened at one of the several security check points on the Owerri – Onitsha Road in Anambra State.

A few hours later, gunmen descended on Atta, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, setting ablaze the Atta Divisional Police Headquarters and the Magistrate and High Court buildings in the town.

They then proceeded to vandalise the community’s health centre.

The two attacks are the latest by bandits who have been terrorising the Southeast for several months now.

Sequel to the killing of the soldiers, security operatives yesterday blocked the Onitsha bridgehead, disrupting vehicular traffic on the route.

Security men also stopped motorists from Enugu State at the boundary between Anambra and Enugu for stop and search.

Spokesman of the State Police Command,  Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the attack but did not say how many soldiers were killed.

He said the command was still investigating the matter, adding that at the appropriate time, the public would know.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Government has banned the use of tricycles and shuttle buses between 7pm-6am.

Governor Willie Obiano said yesterday that the decision was part of the efforts to check the security challenge in the state.

-The Nation