Two policemen killed, three wounded as gunmen attack security agents, lawmaker in Ebonyi
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Two policemen; Sergeant Donatus Osugwu and Sergeant Thaddeus Ugoeze, were feared killed while three other officers sustained bullets wounds following attack by warriors in Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Sunday afternoon.
A Lawmaker representing Ohaukwu North Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedu Awo, who accompanied the operatives was also reported to have sustained bullet wound during the attack.
Hon Awo hails from the community.
A statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah on Monday, confirmed the development.
Odah explained that the policemen were ambushed by the gunmen while returning from investigation activities in connection with the three missing Engineers who were abducted in the same area on November, 3, 2021 while on ring road site project.
The police spokesman said the armed men numbering about 60 attacked the operatives from all flanks, but the operatives gallantry fought back, resulting in heavy casualties on the side of the attackers.
She said efforts were on to arrest the attackers.
The statement reads:, “On 28/11/2021 at about 1340hrs while the Police Operatives were returning from investigation activities in connection with the three missing engineers who were abducted in the same area on the 3rd of November, 2021 while on ring road site project, the operatives were in the company of Hon. Chinedu Awo a member Representing Ohaukwu North Constituency in the State House of Assembly who accompanied the operatives to enable him to dialogue with the warriors at Igbuduoke village in Effium/Ezza clan ‘the warring community’ in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State, they were ambushed by armed Ezza warriors numbering over sixty (60) who attacked them from all flanks but the operatives gallantry fought back, resulting in heavy casualties on the side of the attackers.
“However, DSP Bruno Chukwu and two others sustained bullet wound injuries and are currently responding to treatment, while two Police officers by name, Sergeant Donatus Osugwu and Sergeant Thaddeus Ugoeze are suspected to have been abducted by the hoodlums as they were discovered missing in action.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba led a convoy of about seven teams on reinforcement where they cordoned the forest and searched the village but could not see the missing officers nor the perpetrators.
“Efforts are in top gear to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down and arrested.”
Effium community in Ohaukwu LGA of the State has been enmeshed in a communal war between the people of Ezza-Effium and Uffiom clans since January 22, 2021.
The war has claimed hundreds of lives and property worth billions have also been destroyed.
Three weeks ago, a Consultant handling the Ebonyi ring road project and four others with him, were kidnapped along the Effium axis of the ring road while supervising the project.
The kidnap victims are yet to be found as of the time of filing this report.
