Gunmen have killed eight persons, including four policemen in Nnewi and Ogbaru local government areas of Anambra State.

The two incidents happened in the early hours of Wednesday.

Anambra police spokesman Ikenga Tochukwu told The Nation the Nnewi incident was an accident involving tricycle operators and another vehicle.

The incident, he said, led to a protest but nobody was killed.

He said the situation had been brought under control by security operatives, adding that the motorcycle operator was seriously wounded and taken to the hospital in the area.

He confirmed the Ogbaru incident, describing it as unfortunate.

He said the Command lost four gallant men during a duel with the gunmen.

Tochukwu further said the police station at Atani in Ogbaru local government area was not razed but partially torched by the hoodlums.

He said the hoodlums ran away after sighting reinforcement by the Command led by Commissioner of Police Echeng Echeng.

The incident, according to the PPRO, took place around 1am on Wednesday, adding that security operatives were still in the hunt of the hoodlums.

An eyewitness however told The Nation the Nnewi incident was not an accident as claimed by the Police.

He said it was an attack by gunmen who invaded the arena with three vehicles, shot people and left almost immediately.

At Atani in Ogbaru local government area, a source said the gunmen shot non-stop and killed some policemen before burning the station.