The gunmen were said to have stormed the checkpoint along Umunze-Ihite Road in the community and opened fire on the officers, killing three of them on the spot.

Residents said some shop owners near the scene of the attack abruptly closed their shops for fear of being caught by stray bullets.

A video clip, apparently shot after the incident, has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups.

In the now viral clip, three bodies of the slain officers were seen lying along the road close to the checkpoint.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement, Thursday evening.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, described the killing of the officers as “unfortunate.”

“It is part of the highest prices security officers pay in serving the nation,” he said.