Inside the Ambush: How Soludo’s Chief of Staff Escaped Death as Gunmen Kill Two Police Officers

ByNewsmakers

Jun 2, 2026 #Amansea Ufuma Road ambush, #Anambra gunmen attack, #Assassins, #Ben Nwankwo assassination attempt, #CP Ikioye Orutugu, #Dr. Ben Nwankwo, #Soludo Chief of Staff attack

Dr. Ben Nwankwo

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Chief of Staff to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, narrowly escaped an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday night when gunmen ambushed his convoy along the Amansea–Ufuma Road, killing two police officers attached to his security detail.

The attackers reportedly opened fire on the convoy in a brazen assault that left the two officers dead. Dr. Nwankwo, however, escaped unhurt, triggering heightened security concerns and a massive manhunt for the perpetrators.

The deadly attack prompted an immediate response from the Anambra State Police Command, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, ordering all operational and tactical units to track down those responsible within 48 hours.

The directive was issued during an emergency security meeting at the State Police Command Headquarters in Awka, where senior officers were instructed to intensify intelligence gathering and launch coordinated operations to apprehend the assailants.

Condemning the attack, Orutugu described the killing of the officers as a direct challenge to the authority of the state and an assault on security personnel carrying out their lawful duties.

“I want you to fish out the attackers and the killers of our officers. I demand immediate action to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act. I want results. The people of Anambra State must know that the police are fully in charge and ready to protect them,” the commissioner said.