Three members of the Anambra Vigilante Group, AVG, were killed at Igboukwu in the state's Aguata local government area by suspected assailants.
Senior official of the organisation known as Shaba and two of his assistants were among those killed.
The gunmen opened fire on them when they were in a bar at the well-known Nkwo Market in Igboukwu, a source said, adding that the attackers drove to the bar, got out, and started shooting at the orderlies there before shooting the officer inside. They supposedly passed away right away.
Circumstances surrounding the incident were still sketchy, although there were reports that Shaba, the senior vigilante officer, was a member of the dreaded Ebubeagu security group which has been terrorizing some communities in the South-East, particularly Imo and Ebonyi states.
However, another source claimed that the killing was carried out by members of a kidnapping syndicate whose leader was busted by Shaba’s team some days ago.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said a deliberate operation has been set in place to apprehend the attackers, adding that surveillance has been intensified in the area.
“There is a deliberate operation ongoing now aimed at apprehending the attackers. Patrols have also been intensified within Aguata and its environs and further development shall be communicated,” he said.