Ogbunka community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State is still reeling from shock after a fierce gun duel between a Police-led Joint Security Team and a notorious unknown gunmen gang that had turned the area into a criminal hideout.

For over six hours on Friday, the peaceful town was shaken by the sound of gunfire and explosions as security operatives from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army (302 Artillery Regiment), Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Anambra State Vigilante Group launched a coordinated assault on the gang’s base, following credible intelligence gathered over time.

Eyewitnesses say the gunshots could be heard from far distances, sparking fear and panic among villagers. “We didn’t know what was happening at first. The noise was like thunder,” said a local farmer who asked to remain anonymous. “It was later we heard that the security people were fighting unknown gunmen in the forest.”

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the criminals had fortified their camp with improvised explosive devices, but these were diffused by the team’s superior firepower. In the aftermath, the operatives recovered food supplies, cooking equipment, and parts of vehicles believed to have been stolen and dismantled at the camp.

Though some of the suspects escaped with gunshot wounds, the security forces have now taken over the area to prevent regrouping and track down the fleeing criminals. The mission, according to the police, is far from over.

“This operation is part of our wider commitment to deny unrepentant criminals the space to cause havoc in Anambra State,” SP Ikenga stated. “We assure Ndi Anambra and all residents that the trust placed in us to protect lives and property is not taken for granted.”

Residents of Ogbunka are slowly returning to their routines, though many remain on edge. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges still facing rural communities—and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to restore peace and normalcy.

Gladys Achese, sister to one of the detained domestic staff of former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, has spoken out about the ordeal her family has endured.

Ekwutosblog Reports that Dame Jonathan detained 15 domestic staff over a missing jewelry valued at ₦750 million.

The staff have been held captive for years, sparking widespread outrage and calls for their release. Gladys’ sibling is among those detained without trial for six years. The case was brought to light by Pidom Nigeria’s social media post last year, prompting a single court session. However, the defendant’s sudden withdrawal led to an indefinite adjournment.

Gladys and her family are pleading with Nigerians to intervene and ensure a fair trial. The prolonged delay has taken a devastating toll on the family, causing immense emotional distress and disrupting their lives. They’re urging the public to help amplify their cry for justice, seeking a swift resolution to their ordeal.

The 15 domestic workers, including both men and women, have been behind bars since 2019 following an accusation of theft involving missing jewellery reportedly belonging to the former First Lady.

SaharaReporters previously published an exclusive report detailing gruesome torture sessions reportedly led and personally supervised by Patience Jonathan on the detainees.

“Severe torture, which included hanging, beating with whips, sticks, machetes… Patience Jonathan repeatedly insisted angrily that the police were not doing enough torture to her satisfaction,” a source earlier revealed.

The source further alleged that she ordered the detainees to be taken to her husband’s residence at Nikton Road, Kpansia, Yenagoa, where she personally brutalised them using her high-heeled shoes.