Anambra Police debunks church attack . as policeman , Okada rider killed at Assemblies of God Church Onitsha

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Deputy Commissioner for Police incharge of Operations, Mike Okoli yesterday debunked the claims that gunmen who attacked the Assemblies of God Church along Oguta road Onitsha, Anambra State killing one policeman and a civilian has been arrested.

He rather said the gunmen attacked his men on foot patrol but added that one of the armed robbers has been arrested while the rest are being trailed and would be arrested, even as he said a police man who was critically injured has been taken to the hospital.

Okoli who spoke for CP Umar Garba advised parents to restrain their children and wards from engaging in acts capable of ruining their future.

  But an eyewitness said that the gunmen had stopped at the Assemblies of God Church but on sighting some policemen at the church, the opened fire on them and the police men replied but when their firing power started be overpowering that of the police, the police men abandoned patrol vehicle to escape.

"The gunmen firing power obviously overpowered that of the police and when it became clear to the police men that they cannot stand them the police took off abandoning their vehicle and ran for safety.

"The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging to the policeman they killed, I saw two of the gunmen but I cannot say how many they are in number, but is like some others were hanging around to probably give a helping hand, because when they took off some motorcycles followed them.

Another eyewitness said, "the gunmen on motorcycle shot a policeman and collected his rifle, they also shot dead an Okada man while escaping, and the passenger he was carrying was also got injured.

"The policeman was said to be one those that were providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha, you know that every Sunday the church brings police to give security in that church".

The eye witness said the gunmen may have planned to attack the worshipper or their target may be the police gun as election is around the corner.

Contacted the state Commissioner of police Mr.Garba Umar confirmed the incident, but noted that it was not an attack on the church.

"My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen it was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it, the hoodlums actually took away a rifle belonging to the slain policeman.”