Three suspects nabbed over killing of policemen

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

In line with the vow by Abia State government to track down hoodlums who killed two Policemen last Tuesday during an armed attack on the State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, the State Police Command has nabbed three suspects in connection with incident.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, had on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Aba, assured Abians that his government would track down perpetrators of the deadly attack.

24 hours later, the Police in Abia announcrd that it has arrested three persons in connection with the attack.

A terse statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chioma Chinaka, revealed that the suspects were arrested in an hotel in Obingwa local government area of the state.

“In furtherance of investigation into the attack on the Abia State Commissioner for Trade,Commerce, and Industry on the 26/07/2023 at Samek Faulks Road, Aba, which led to the death of two police officers; on 27/07/2023 at about 11:30am. Acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives from Abia State Police Command stormed a Hotel located in Ohanze Obingwa L.GA, Abia State. “Consequently, three male suspects were arrested. Two revolver pistols, six rounds of 7.62x39MM Ammunition suitable for AK-47 rifles, and five rounds of 9MM Ammunition were found in their possession. Investigation into the case continues,” the statement read.

Recall that hoodlums attacked. the convoy of the State Commissioner for Trade,  Commerce, Trade and Industry on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at about 4 p.m at Aba while he was on official assignment.

The hoodlums shot two Policemen during the attack who died the following day.

The Police Command on Wednesday, July o 26, 2023, had announced that it lost two personnel following the attack on the convoy of the Commissioner.

The Command’s PPRO, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said that “the distressing incident” was carried out by a group of hoodlums who launched an attack on the Commissioner’s convoy during his familiarisation tour of markets in the commercial city.

The convoy of the commissioner was said to be en route to Ekoha Shopping Plaza “when the armed assailants opened fire.”

“Regrettably, amidst the chaos, two police officers lost their lives in the line of duty,” the PPRO said.

She identified the victims as a Police Constable who was part of the security of the convoy and a Police Inspector, who was not initially part of the convoy but happened to be on a separate assignment with a Police Hilux van.

However, the Commissioner for Trade and other people on his entourage, including some members of Government House Press Corps, escaped the attack unhurt.

Aside the tragic killing of the two Police officers, the hoodlums also set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce  and Investment.

Chinaka said the Commissioner of Police has assured the public that every possible effort would be exerted as discreet investigations were ongoing to ensure justice was served.

“We condemn this cowardly act of violence and remain steadfast in our resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the police spokesperson said.

She urged the public “to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies” in their efforts to nab the hoodlums behind the fatal attack and bring them to book.

“Any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could prove pivotal in identifying and apprehending the culprits responsible for this heinous act,” the PPRO said.

However, it was reported that security operatives drafted to the scene to restore peace, allegedly resorted to reprisal attacks, forcing traders to flee Ariaria International Market even as resident living within the vicinity shut themselves indoors for fear of arrests, attacks and molestations.

It was in a bid to restore normalcy to the area and confodence of the people that Governor Otti raced to Aba Thursday where he assured that government would track down the hoodlums, warned against reprisal attacks and ordered traders who had fled to safety to reopen their closed shops and resume business.

Traders and residents, who had been frightened away from the major road and the market by the presence of armed and fierce-looking security men in the area, were emboldened and came out when the Governor visited the crime scene.

They cheered and sang the Governor’s praise as the state Chief Executive Officer and some security chiefs, including the Commissioner of Police, Kene Onwuemelie, and the Commander of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brig Gen NJ Edet took a tour of the deserted neighbourhood. 

Addressing pockets of traders who thronged the market, Gov Otti reassured them that the presence of the security agencies was for their protection. He warned them to be of good behaviour and cooperate with the security men as they search for the criminals. 

“It’s unfortunate that some criminals attacked policemen here two days ago, and in response, there was a reprisal attack. Unfortunately, reprisal attacks, as I have often said, always end up with the wrong people because the criminals would probably have ran away. 

“We must track down the criminals.

“Having noticed that you closed your shops in fear, I have come to reassure you that you shouldn’t fear. Please open your shops.

“Any security man you see, whether Police, army, DSS or civil defence, they have come to give you protection not to attack you. So, we will continue in the search for the criminals because we will not allow criminals to distract us.

“We have a lot of work that we’re doing already and no criminal would be stronger than government, we will track them down. We will also use this opportunity to warn anyone that wants to get involved in criminal activities. We’re going to deal with them, we will flush them out. 

“So, go about your lawful business, open your shops, you’ll be protected and no one will molest you,” Governor Otti assured.