There was tension and pandemonium in Umuchu town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State over a gun battle between Nigerian soldiers and suspected unknown gunmen, which left three victims reportedly shot dead.

The incident happened at about 4.30 pm yesterday at a place known as Nkwunato in Ibughubu village, Umuchu, close to the the boundary between Umunze town in Orumba Local Government area and Umuchu town in Anambra State,

According to an eye witness, the soldiers, who were on routine monitoring along the expressway, accosted the unknown gunmen, who were said to have first opened fire on the soldiers on Joint patrol in the area. That led to exchange of gun fire and at the end three victims were found dead as the result of gun shots before the bandits escaped. The identity of victims was yet known as the corpses were reportedly taken to an undisclosed mortuary for autopsy reports.

Apart from the killing of the victims, vehicles used by the gunmen and the soldiers were badly damaged and burnt during the mayhem as they shot sporadically.

The ugly incident thrown both Umunze and Umuchu towns into panic as the information spread to the two communities over the battle.

According to the eye witness, it was not the first time such incident was happening in the area but what made the fight bloody was the killing of the victims and the shooting, which lasted for several hours before the soldiers subdued the gunmen and they escaped some with bullet wounds.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, could not be reached for comment as his known phone number was not available.

However, residents of the two communities contacted confirmed the incident and expressed their shock and indicated that they were forced to desert the road for safety.

“Yes there was serious shooting at Nkwunato area of Umuchu and three persons were shot dead. Vehicles also got damaged and burnt. The gunshot was between unknown gunmen and soldiers, who intercepted themselves at Nkwunato. It’s a pitiable situation” a resident said.

It was gathered that after the incident, Police patrol vehicles from the two towns were seen in the area and there was no report of any arrest yet.