Burning vehicle- The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended two suspects in connection with a violent attack on police and military personnel in Enugwu-Agu Village, Oba Idemili, located in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The incident, which took place on April 13, 2025, resulted in the burning of a military operational vehicle at a checkpoint in the affected community.
This latest development, confirmed by the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, highlights the progress made by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu following an intensive investigation into the attack.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, SP Ikenga disclosed that the two suspects.
Burning Vehicle Incident a “Deliberate Provocation” — Police Commissioner
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reacted strongly to the incident, describing it as a direct challenge to national security and the resilience of Nigeria’s security forces.
“This attack was more than just an isolated criminal act,” Oru Tugu said. “It was a deliberate attempt to test the resolve of our operatives and an attack on the very soul of the nation. The burning vehicle was not only property destruction—it was symbolic of the attackers’ intent to destabilize the peace and order we fight daily to protect.”
According to SP Ikenga, the suspects admitted to participating in the April 13 assault, where a group of armed men launched an unprovoked ambush on joint police and military forces stationed at a community checkpoint. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the operatives and community stakeholders before setting a military vehicle ablaze.
The arrested individuals reportedly confessed to their roles in the ambush and the burning vehicle, providing useful leads about the identities and whereabouts of other suspects still at large.
“The suspects have already begun cooperating with investigators,” said Ikenga. “They have named other individuals who are now being pursued as part of the ongoing operation.”
The Police Commissioner noted that no loss of life occurred during the attack, crediting the bravery and professionalism of the operatives at the scene for averting greater tragedy. He commended the Rapid Response Squad for the swift follow-up, emphasizing the importance of resilience and teamwork in neutralizing threats to public safety.
In light of the incident, CP Orutugu has ordered a widening of the investigative scopeto
He also reiterated the importance of community policing and not to curb the rising wave of violence targeting uniformed officers in rural areas.
“This is a time for collective action,” Orutugu stressed. “We need everyone—from community leaders to traditional institutions and everyday citizens—to actively support our officers on the ground. Security is a shared responsibility.”
The attack and subsequent burning vehicle in observers believe that the destruction of military hardware, such as operational vehicles, indicates a troubling shift in tactics by criminal groups looking to intimidate or demoralize government forces.
Experts also warn that the symbolism behind burning a burning vehicle used by security agencies is meant to send a defiant message and could inspire copycat incidents if not swiftly addressed.
The arrest of Uche Egwu and Jindo Onyeka marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the inch.
With investigations ongoing and more arrests expected, the Anambra State Police Command has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on violence against security personnel.
Citizens with useful information about the whereabouts of other suspects involved in the April 13 burning vehicle attack are urged to contact the nearest police station or use the designated emergency lines.
Source- Punch
