The Anambra State Government has vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for the deadly attack on the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Dr Ben Nwankwo, which claimed four lives on Sunday night.
The government described the incident as a direct attack on the peace and security of the state and assured residents that security agencies were already working to identify and arrest those behind the assault.
Dr Nwankwo, a former member of the House of Representatives who was recently appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, was travelling back from an official assignment when his convoy came under attack by unidentified gunmen.
The attack occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. along the border between Orumba North and Awka South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.
Although Nwankwo survived the attack, the assailants reportedly killed his close associate and two security operatives attached to him. Government officials later disclosed that a total of four persons lost their lives in the incident.
The attack has sent shockwaves across the state and raised fresh concerns about security, particularly as Anambra had witnessed relative calm in recent months following intensified operations against criminal groups.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Government said it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, the government condemned the attack and described it as an assault not only on an individual but also on the people and government of Anambra State.
“This was more than an attack on one person. It was an attack on the peace, security and democratic order of our state, as well as the government and people of Anambra,” the statement said.
The government expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and promised that justice would be pursued.
“Sadly, four people lost their lives and deserve justice. The Anambra State Government sends its deepest condolences to the families of those who died and shares in their grief,” Mefor stated.
The government also sought to reassure residents that the incident would not reverse the security gains recorded in the state over the past year.
According to the statement, the attack was an isolated incident that occurred after a long period of improved security across many parts of Anambra.
“This isolated incident after more than one year of peace and security in the state will not affect our determination to remove all forms of crime from Anambra,” the commissioner said.
The government noted that security agencies, including the police and other law enforcement bodies, had already launched investigations and were working to track down the attackers.
“The police and other security agencies are working to find and bring everyone involved in this evil act to justice,” the statement added.
Earlier, the Anambra State Police Command had also condemned the attack and assured residents that efforts were underway to identify those responsible.
Police authorities said tactical teams had been deployed to the area while investigations continued.
The latest incident comes at a time when Governor Soludo’s administration has repeatedly highlighted improvements in security across the state.
Since assuming office in 2022, the governor has made the fight against violent crime one of the key priorities of his administration.
The government has launched several security initiatives, including the strengthening of local security networks and increased collaboration with federal security agencies.
In recent years, Anambra, like several states in the South-East, has faced security challenges linked to armed attacks, kidnappings, cult-related violence and attacks on security personnel.
Many communities experienced frequent incidents of violence, leading to fears among residents and business owners.
To tackle the situation, the Soludo administration introduced a series of security measures and intensified operations against criminal groups operating within the state.
Government officials have often pointed to a reduction in violent incidents as evidence that the measures are yielding positive results.
However, Sunday night’s attack has shown that security threats still remain and that criminal elements continue to pose challenges in some parts of the state.
The incident has also generated reactions from residents who have called for swift action to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
Many residents expressed concern that attacks on public officials and security personnel could undermine public confidence if not dealt with decisively.
Community leaders and civil society groups have also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further attacks and maintain peace across the state.
For the families of the victims, however, the focus remains on justice and accountability.
As investigations continue, residents are waiting to see the outcome of the government’s promise to bring the perpetrators to book.
The Anambra State Government has insisted that the attack will not weaken its resolve to combat crime and protect lives and property.
With security agencies now on the trail of the attackers, authorities hope that arrests will be made soon and that those behind the killings will face the full weight of the law.