Soldiers from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have raided Akpawfu community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, arresting over 20 youths over the shooting to death of six police officers by unknown gunmen.
Standardobservers gathered that hundreds of other residents have abandoned their homes following the military operation in the area.
Standardobservers had reported the attack on the Police checkpoint located at the Amaechi axis of Enugu South on Wednesday where the officers were shot dead, their rifles carted away and their operational vehicle set ablaze.
Security sources in the state said that there are indications that the gunmen are camped in the community, adding that one of their Hilux vans somersaulted near St Philip Catholic Church, Akpawfu.
Community sources told our correspondent that the invading security agencies attacked the community in the early hours of Friday, saying that as much as 20 youths have been arrested.
“They searched house to house, arresting young men and women,” a source said.
“There is mass exodus of residents from the community, especially the youths who are targets for arrest. We do not know how long the invasion will last so people are scampering for safety,” he explained further.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while paying condolences to the families of the slain officers offered automatic employments to their widows and scholarships to their children.
