Nigeria, March 18 -- A police officer has been confirmed dead after some gunmen on Thursday attacked a police patrol team in Anambra State, Nigeria's South-east.

The police spokesperson in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Tochukwu, a deputy superintendent of police, said the attack occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on a road junction called Okacha in Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

"The hoodlums numbering over twenty with three Sienna buses and motorcycles engaged the police in a gun-duel which lasted for over 30 mins before reinforcements from the state headquarters, forcing the hoodlums to escape.

"As a result, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and...