Gunfire at Midnight: How Police Foiled Coordinated Highway Robberies and Recovered Stolen Vehicles

Gunfire at Midnight: How Police Foiled Coordinated Highway Robberies and Recovered Stolen Vehicles

The quiet of Anambra’s highways was shattered in the early hours of Friday, September 5, 2025, when armed gangs staged coordinated attacks along Oba and Awka roads. But what was meant to be a night of bloodshed and stolen fortunes quickly turned into a dramatic triumph for security operatives, leaving the criminals fleeing into the darkness.

According to police accounts, the robbers had strategically blocked off sections of the road, targeting motorists and residents in a wave of violence that could have ended in tragedy. Shots rang out, panic spread, and for a few minutes, the heavily armed gangs appeared in control.

But then came the unexpected twist. Acting on rapid intelligence, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command stormed the scene. What followed was a fierce gun battle that ripped through the still night air. Outnumbered and outgunned, the robbers abandoned two vehicles they had earlier snatched at gunpoint, disappearing into the shadows.

Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement that painted a picture of both bravery and urgency.

“At about 2:30 a.m., our operatives responded swiftly to distress calls along Oba and Awka roads, where armed gangs had blocked motorists and dispossessed them of valuables. On sighting our officers, they engaged us in a gun duel but were overpowered. Two stolen vehicles were recovered, and operations to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” Ikenga said.

He further praised the gallant officers whose rapid response prevented what could have been another grim day in Anambra. Ikenga assured residents that the Command has intensified patrols, surveillance, and highway monitoring to ensure that the state remains unsafe for criminal gangs.

Yet, it was not only the police who played a role in this midnight drama. Eyewitness accounts revealed that vigilant community members tipped off authorities before the situation escalated. A commercial driver who narrowly escaped the ambush recounted the chaos:

“They blocked the road with a car and started shooting in the air. People panicked. Some tried to run, some hid. But within minutes, police arrived and everything changed. It was like a movie scene. If not for the quick response, many of us wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”

The attempted attacks come at a time when residents of Anambra State have expressed growing concern over rising cases of car snatching, highway robberies, and criminal activity across major roads. Communities have been on edge, demanding stronger security presence, especially at night.

For many, Friday’s confrontation serves as a turning point. The recovery of the stolen vehicles and the police’s success in foiling the ambush has sparked fresh hope that Anambra’s highways may yet become safe havens again.

Still, the larger question remains: how long before the same gangs regroup and strike again? The Police Command insists there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state, but the frequency of such attacks has kept residents wary.

In the meantime, the Anambra State Police Command is calling for deeper collaboration between the public and security agencies. Ikenga emphasized that the vigilance of residents was crucial in this operation, and such cooperation remains key in the broader fight against insecurity.

The midnight gunfight may be over, but its echoes are a reminder that the battle for safety on Nigeria’s highways is far from won.