The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police were killed at the BOEK Petroleum Filling Station, Ahiara Junction, in Ahaizu, Mbaise LGA of Imo State. The Imo State Police Command said that it has detained a total of eighteen thugs who are suspected of being members of the banned IPOB/ESN.
The police were filling up their operational vehicle at the aforementioned filling station when thugs, who appeared to be members of the Proscribed IPOB/ESN and were dressed in black and red regalia and military camouflage, pounced on them with three vehicles and motorcycles and began firing intermittently, according to a statement signed by police spokesman Henry Okoye and provided to OBASANJONEWS24 in Owerri.
According to the statement, two police officers escaped the attack, but the DPO and an Inspector of Police paid the ultimate price in the ensuing gunfight. Nevertheless, the police officers battled valiantly.
“We will stop at nothing to bring the full force of the law down on those responsible for the heinous deed.” Following an early response, police officers under the command of CP Aboki Danjuma conducted a confidence-building patrol in Ahaizu Mbaise, forcing the thugs to run while suffering varying degrees of bullet wounds and leaving some of their working motorcycles.
The military, under the command of 34 Artillery Brigade Commander Obinze, quickly bolstered the operatives. A thorough search of the area is still underway.
“In the interim, a total of eighteen suspects have been taken into custody and are being investigated.”
The Imo State Police Command has reaffirmed in the statement that it will work with sister security agencies to ensure that there is enough security. It also urged people to report anyone they saw receiving medical attention for gunshot wounds in the Ahaizu Mbaise neighbourhood by contacting 08034773600 and 08098880197, the emergency lines.
