Gunmen have unleashed offensive ambush on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the demise of a police officer and abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday through the police public relations officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye and stressed that they have launched manhunt to apprehend the culprits.
Eye witness account revealed that the incident was said to have occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”
The witness highlighted that during the ambush, the police officer ,Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the hoodlums.
“ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.”
The police PPRO, stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He said, “An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack. We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”
