By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
Gunmen at the weekend attacked a police patrol team and killed two policemen attached to the MOPOL 18 Unit, Owerri during a gun duel in Okigwe Area of Imo State.
The two hapless police officers were killed when gunmen attacked their patrol vehicle along Old Gariki Road, Okigwe in the early hours of Saturday.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when the personnel of MOPOL 18, Owerri were ambushed while on patrol duty in the area.
In a statement issued weekend by the Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye, the state Police Command confirmed the incident and killing of the two cops.
According to him, the gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) were said to have thrown dynamite on the officers’ patrol vehicle as well as engaged them in a protracted gunfight.
Okoye who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma hinted that the two slain officers were killed in the process of the heavy gunfight while four others sustained multiple injuries.
“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).
“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,” the PPRO added.
ASP Okoye further disclosed that CP Danjuma and Commander of MOPOL 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment Saturday.
He also pointed out that the Imo Police boss has tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly act.
