Gunmen have killed five soldiers in Umunze, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria’s Southeast.

The incident happened on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. beside a branch of the Zenith Bank, close to the popular Nkwo Umunze market in the area.

The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the soldiers who were in their Sienna patrol vehicle, killing five of them in the attack.

A yet-to-be-identified resident, said to have been caught by stray bullets, was also killed in the attack.

A shop owner in the market, Comfort Mokaogwu, told our correspondent that traders in the market closed their shops abruptly for fear of being attacked.

“People were running helter-skelter. I thank God, it (the attack) did not happen close to my shop,” she said.

“Army people I just saw here now, drinking,” a shocked unidentified resident was heard saying in the background of the video clip.

The body of the unidentified resident was seen lying in the middle of the road, just a few metres away from those of the slain soldiers.

Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking comments from him on the attack.

When contacted, police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.

He said the details of the attack were still sketchy.

Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the commissioner of police in the state deployed some police operatives in the area on getting information about the attack.

“The situation is being monitored,” he said.

Increased attacks

Security has deteriorated in Nigeria’s Southeast with frequent attacks by armed persons across the region.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

PT