Police, Suspected ESN Militants Clash in Anambra: One Dead, AK-47 and Vehicles Recovered

A fierce gun battle erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, July 9, 2025, between a police-led joint security team and suspected operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, resulting in the death of one suspect and the recovery of weapons and vehicles.

According to a security situation report filed by the Commander of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aguata, the incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. as the police team responded to a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oko town, who reported a coordinated attack on his station.

As the officers approached Ekwulobia Roundabout near the flyover, they were ambushed by heavily armed assailants believed to be affiliated with the ESN militia. A two-hour gunfight ensued, during which the security operatives repelled the attackers, leveraging what authorities described as “superior firepower and tactical advantage.”

In the aftermath of the confrontation, one of the suspected militants was confirmed dead at the scene. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle (serial number 58-84010385) loaded with a double magazine of live ammunition. Additional items recovered included four abandoned vehicles used by the fleeing militants:

A custom-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK (no registration plate)

A gold Lexus RX 330 (plate number ENU-815 AP)

A custom-coloured Toyota Highlander (plate number GDD-517 RW, Anambra)

A red Toyota Camry (plate number ENU-58 SC)

The remaining suspects reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, prompting the launch of an ongoing manhunt by law enforcement to track them down and neutralize further threats.

The commander of the security unit confirmed that normalcy has been restored in the area. He assured the public that patrol operations and surveillance efforts will continue to guarantee the safety and security of residents.