Armed Gang Attacks Police Station, Kills 2 Officers In Southeast Nigeria
This recent attack brings the death toll of police officers killed in Imo state since Feb to 25.
Two police officers were killed in a Saturday, Aug. 14 attack by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous people of Biafra on the Izombe Divisional Police Headquarters in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria.
According to Orlando Abattam, the police spokesperson in the state, the terror group around 2:45 a.m. WAT, came in their numbers to attack Izombe Police Station but could not gain access to the station as the state Command’s Tactical Team and personnel intercepted and repelled them.
“The bandits, on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel but were subdued due to the superior firepower of the police. They fled into the bush and in the process, three of the bandits were neutralised,”Abattam said.
“Their arms, one pump-action gun with two rounds of live cartridges and one locally-made double-barrelled pistol with two expended cartridges, were recovered by the police. Unfortunately, the command lost two of its gallant officers in the attack.”
Abattam said police tactical teams were in pursuit of the fleeing attackers, combing the bush for their arrest and possible recovery of their weapons.
He also appealed to residents of Imo State, especially the Izombe community, to assist the police with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing armed gang and report to the nearest police station any person(s) seen with bullet wounds.
Hospitals were also advised by the state command to ensure that they “report any person(s) with bullet wounds” who come to them for treatment.
Attacks on police officers and facilities in the state became incessant in April after the Owerri correctional facility was attacked by IPOB/ESN freeing over 1800 inmates.
This recent attack that left two police officers dead has increased the death toll of officers killed on duty by armed shooters across the state to 25, since February.
In June, the state government had given the families of 21 police officers killed by armed groups N5 million each.
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