Four Patrol Vans, Motorcycles Razed as Gunmen Attack Vigilante Office in Anambra

 

Late-night chaos gripped Amesi community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State as yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the local vigilante office, engaging operatives in a fierce gun battle and setting ablaze four patrol vehicles and two motorcycles.

Residents who had retired for the night were jolted awake by the heavy exchange of gunfire that shattered the quiet of the late Friday hours. The intense confrontation between the vigilante team and the assailants lasted several minutes, during which explosions and bursts of automatic fire rocked the community.

An eyewitness who lives near the facility described the situation as terrifying, recounting how the attackers, after failing to breach the main building, resorted to using an explosive device. "The hoodlums engaged the vigilante operatives in a gun duel for several hours before throwing an explosive device into the facility, which resulted in the setting ablaze of about four patrol vehicles and some motorcycles," the source recounted.

The attackers reportedly made a concerted effort to overrun the facility. Despite putting up a determined resistance, the vigilante operatives were eventually overwhelmed, leading to the destruction of valuable security assets. However, there were no reported casualties during the onslaught — a small relief for the already shaken community.

Security personnel responded swiftly to the attack. Speaking on Saturday, the Anambra State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, assuring the public that joint security forces had regained control of the area.

"Anambra police have taken over the scene of an attack on the office of the vigilantes at Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, at the late hours of Friday, April 25, 2025," Ikenga said in a statement.

He explained that the armed hoodlums, determined to gain entrance into the vigilante premises, engaged the operatives in a tense standoff, culminating in the destruction of vehicles and motorcycles by fire. "Unfortunately, four patrol vehicles and two motorcycles were burnt as a result of the gun duel by security operatives resisting the armed hoodlums from gaining entrance. However, no life was lost during the incident," Ikenga clarified.

Heavy police presence is now visible in and around Amesi, as officers in collaboration with local vigilante groups and other security operatives have launched a counter-offensive to track down the perpetrators. Security patrols have been intensified, and strategic points within Aguata LGA are being manned to prevent further breaches.

Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed mixed feelings — gratitude that no lives were lost but fear that the attack could be a harbinger of increased insecurity in the area. "We are living in fear now. We don't know when they might strike again," one concerned local told reporters.

The identity and motives of the attackers remain unknown at the time of filing this report. However, investigations are ongoing, and authorities have pledged that no stone will be left unturned in bringing the culprits to justice.

Beyond physical damage, the attack has triggered a wider conversation about the security architecture in Anambra's rural communities. Questions are being raised about the adequacy of resources available to local vigilante groups, who often serve as the first line of defense against criminal elements in areas where official police presence is thin.

Efforts to bolster grassroots security have been a recurring theme in Anambra State, where vigilante groups have played a crucial role in stemming violent crime. However, incidents like Friday night's attack expose the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on lightly armed and poorly equipped operatives to face well-armed criminal gangs.

Meanwhile, SP Ikenga urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, assuring that security forces are firmly in control of the situation. "Calm has returned to the area as men of the Joint Security Force have intensified offensive operations in the area," he said.

He further added that the situation is being closely monitored and that updates would be communicated to the public as more information becomes available.

As the people of Amesi try to return to normal life, the scars left by Friday’s violent confrontation serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing community security initiatives — and the resilience needed to defend against those determined to disrupt peace.