Uchenna Johnson
Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has said the attack on residential settlers at Agu-Ifite in the early hours of July 21 was a calculated criminal plot aimed at inciting ethnic tension and undermining the prevailing peace and security in the state.
In a security update issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command said preliminary findings indicated that the perpetrators intended to create division among residents along ethnic lines.
According to the police, the objective of the attackers has been largely frustrated by the people of Anambra, who have continued to demonstrate unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence despite the incident.
“The command notes that Ndi Anambra have continued to demonstrate unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and have refused to be drawn into divisive ethnic narratives,” the statement said.
Following the attack, the police led a joint security team to Agu-Ifite for an on-the-spot assessment and operational review of the situation.
During the visit, the security team met with community leaders, representatives of the affected settlers and other critical stakeholders to strengthen public confidence, obtain firsthand information and coordinate ongoing security measures.
The command disclosed that intelligence gathered from survivors and other credible sources had provided useful leads, prompting intensified intelligence-driven operations to track down those responsible for the attack.
It added that security operatives had launched a coordinated manhunt to identify, apprehend and prosecute all the suspects involved.
The police urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all law-abiding residents of Anambra State, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds, assuring that no effort would be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
