Two police officers have been killed by gunmen who launched an attack at Okpala junction in Ngor-Okpala LGA of Imo state.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the gunmen stormed the junction in a motorcycle in the early hours of Saturday, May 20, and shot sporadically at the Okpala police checkpoint. They hurriedly zoomed off to an unknown destination after shooting.
Imo police spokesperson, Henry Okoye who also confirmed the incident, said two police officers were killed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), while another officer is fighting for his life at the hospital.
He said; “Two of our officers gallantly fell during a gun battle with hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN. One of our officers was injured and is now in the hospital receiving treatment.
“Our men gave the hoodlums a hot chase and one of their vehicles was recovered but the hoodlums escaped and are still on the run.
“The commissioner of police has ordered that serious investigation should commence and the whereabouts of the hoodlums must be discovered and they must be arrested
In a related development, C4i Intelligence Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command in the early hours of Friday 19th May 2023, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Oyigbo/Igbo-Etche Forest.
The Operatives were acting on actionable intelligence gathered on the kidnapping gang. Upon sighting the Police team the hoodlums opened fire on them. During the gun duel that lasted for about an hour, the gang leader, who was later identified as Aka Blacky, was fatally wounded. Another suspect identified as Peter Nwafor was shot while trying to escape.
The two suspects were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were confirmed dead by a doctor on duty. Their corpse has been deposited at the UPTH Mortuary.
Confirming the incident, SP Grace Iringe-koko, Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, said the gang was linked to the kidnap of a woman and her daughter on 18th March, 2023 along Garrison, Port Harcourt. It would be recalled that two members of the gang had earlier been arrested.”
“Exhibits recovered at the scene include 1 AK47 Rifle and 18 Live Ammunition.”
Meanwhile, residents of the state are advised to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station or by calling the command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003514 and 08098880134.