An unspecified number of police operatives were reportedly killed on Sunday at Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State when suspected assailants opened fire on the convoy of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Sources in the community, who do not want their names in print for security purposes, said when the gunmen opened fire on the convoy, police operatives in the convoy responded and some of the policemen were gunned down in the shoot-out.

A source said, “Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was attacked today by some hoodlums in Enugwu-Ukwu. It was a calculated attempt. It wasn’t an impromptu action.

“The policemen were about four in the convoy and they were attacked.

“All their arms were collected. The boys that spearheaded that attack were about nine in number.”

Another source claimed that six policemen were killed in the attack.

Ubah could not be reached for confirmation as of the time of filing this report as his telephone line indicated that it was not reachable.

But a close ally of the senator said, “It was an attempted assassination on the Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. He survived it but there are casualties. Some policemen in his convoy were killed. I just spoke with him. He is okay but he told me there are casualties.”

The spokesperson of the state police command, Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, but insisted that the casualty figure was still unknown.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Echeng Echeng, has led police operatives to the scene where sporadic shootings took place in Enugwu-Ukwu.

“Though details of the incident are still sketchy, operatives are on the ground there as operations are going on and the situation is being monitored. Further details shall be communicated please.”

Another source said the senator after escaping the near death encounter was agitated and upset over the incident.

Another eyewitness said: “Ifeanyi Ubah’s convoy came under attack in Enugwu Ukwu this evening. He was ambushed by heavily armed men who opened fire on his convoy. Some of his aides were killed, including some police officers.

“The senator managed to escape as his car was riddled with bullets.

“I was driving up to that spot from the link road to the express when some people in a shop shouted at me and asked me to turn back and take another road, which I did”.