One attacker killed as gunmen invade police formation in Ebonyi, Command says one officer ‘fatally wounded’
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Three policemen and one gunman were feared killed following an attack in the early hours of Sunday by gunmen on Unwana Police Divisional Headquarters, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The victims lost their lives during exchange of crossfire.
The gunmen were said to have struck the station at about 2am.
While the gunmen allegedly killed three policemen on duty during the attack, they lost a gang member to the police who fought to repel the attackers.
However, the state police command has said only officer died from injuries sustained in the course of gunfire exchange with the attackers.
The attack is coming barely six days after the attack on Ohaukwu Divisional Police Headquarters by gunmen.
One policeman was killed while cars and a section of the building housing the station were also burnt.
A community source from Unwana Afikpo who pleaded anonymity told our Correspondent that the gunmen masked their faces.
The Source said: “The incident happened around 2am. Nobody knows the route they came from. All we heard was gunshots for about 10 minutes. At the moment, there is no detail about the level of destruction or whether they made away with anything from the police station.
“They killed 3 policemen: one constable and two Inspectors and the police killed one of the gunmen. Nobody knows the identity of the gunmen and police have taken the corpses away.
“The men were masked. The face of the one killed was unveiled by the police and that will help the police to ascertain his identity. He was also wearing a charm round his waist.”
Police confirm attack on Ebonyi Division, allege IPOB/ESN behind invasion
Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the attack on Unwana Divisional Headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.
A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, said the attack was carried out by gunmen suspected to be members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) at about 3a.m on Sunday morning.
The statement further disclosed that the attackers were numbering about 35 who stormed the station, shooting sporadically on the policemen on duty, who immediately repelled them.
In a gun battle that ensued, one (1) of the hoodlums was killed and two AK47 rifles and other incriminating items were recovered while others escaped with bullet wound injuries, according to the statement.
The police authority, however, claimed no policeman was killed, but admitted that one Police Inspector attached to the Division was wounded, adding that the police facility and Operational vehicles were not affected.
However, local source claimed three policemen and one gunman lost their lives in the attack.
The police statement reads, “At 0300hrs of today, 24th October 2021 yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be members of proscribed IPOB/ESN numbering about thirty-five (35) attacked Unwana Divisional Headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, shooting sporadically at the policemen on duty, who immediately repelled the attackers, in the gun battle that ensued one (1) of the hoodlums was killed and two AK47 rifles/other incriminating items were recovered while others escaped with bullet wound injuries. Regrettably, one Police Inspector attached to the Division was fatally wounded. The Police Facility/Operational vehicles are intact.
“Investigation revealed that the deceased suspect had been on the police wanted list for various attacks on police stations and one of the recovered AK-47 rifles has been identified to be the rifle stolen from Ohaukwu Police Division early this month.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba psc, has embarked on, and on the spot assessment of the Division and has also ordered a manhunt on the fleeing hoodlums.”
The statement further added that CP appealed to law-abiding citizens of the State to promptly volunteer useful information to unravel the true identity of the fleeing gang members.
