Tactical Teams of the Imo State Police Command exchanged gunfire with armed bandits suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed branch, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In Agwa, Oguta LGA, Imo State, a police officer and two suspected hoodlums who allegedly killed an officer were killed in a gunbattle.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, said in a statement that one of the police officers paid the ultimate price during the attack, while others were treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries.
According to a police spokesman, while the investigation is ongoing, the hoodlums’ bodies were subsequently deposited in Federal Medical Center Mortuary.
According to the report, “ESN members in their numbers appeared from the surrounding bushes, shooting intermittently at the policemen while conducting stop and search duty,”.
“The officers who swiftly took cover and responded, engaged them in a fierce gun duel, while they called for backup from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agwa.
“On arrival, they positioned themselves strategically and professionally engaged the hoodlums in a fire fight.
“For the operatives’ superior firepower and number, they were able to neutralise two of the hoodlums while others fled in disarray with bullet wounds into the bush.
“The police operatives tactically chased the hoodlums, in the process, combing the bush for possible recovery of their arms and arrest of the fleeing suspects.
However, two locally made double barrel guns with seven live cartridges and ten expended cartridges were recovered at the scene.”
The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while comforting the family of the officer who died during the encounter, directed the officers and men not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements are captured and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He then urged Imolites to continue their support and cooperation in providing credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies, as well as to report anyone spotted treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community to the nearest police station for immediate action.
He also advised them to call the command’s emergency lines, 08034773600 or 08098880197, whenever they are in distress.
