Tragedy struck in Imo State as at least two police officers lost their lives in a heinous attack by gunmen on their patrol vehicle along old Gariki Road Okigwe.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday and involved personnel from MOPOL 18, Owerri, who were ambushed while on patrol duty.
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The assailants, believed to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), reportedly hurled dynamite at the officers’ patrol vehicle and engaged them in a prolonged gun battle.
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In the fierce exchange, two officers tragically lost their lives, while four others sustained severe injuries.
Confirming the incident, Imo Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated, “The state Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He further explained, “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.
In response to the tragic incident, the police boss, in collaboration with Commander Mopol 18 and 64, swiftly led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for an on-the-spot assessment. They have been tasked with intensifying efforts in collaboration with other security agencies to track down the perpetrators responsible for the attack.
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