Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki
Barely one week after suspected gunmen attacked Ohaukwu Police Division in Ebonyi State, another set of hoodlums yesterday attacked Unwana Police Division in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, who confirmed the Unwana attack, disclosed that a police officer and one of the gunmen died during a gun battle.
Garba in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, lamented that the suspected gunmen numbering over 35 invaded the Uwanna divisional police headquarters and started shooting at the policemen on duty.
The PPRO claimed that the gunmen killed one Police Inspector, whose name was yet to be identified as at the time of filling the report, while other was critically injured but is responding to treatment in the hospital.
Odah said: “A yet-to-be identified gunmen numbering about 35 attacked Unwana Divisional Headquarters in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State, shooting sporadically at the policemen on duty, who immediately repelled the attackers.
“The officers on duty during in the gun battle killed one of the hoodlums and two AK-47 rifles/other incriminating items were recovered while others escaped with bullet injuries.
“Regrettably, one Police Inspector attached to the Division was fatally wounded while other, who is critically injured, is responding to treatment in the hospital. However, the police facility/operational vehicles are intact.”
The commissioner revealed that the deceased suspect had been on the police wanted list for various attacks on police stations, adding that “one of the recovered AK-47 rifles has been identified to be the rifle stolen from Ohaukwu Police Division early this month.”
Garba, however, has ordered a manhunt on the fleeing hoodlums, and called on the indigenes of the state to promptly volunteer useful information to unravel the true identities of the fleeing gang members.
