Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
Suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN militia launched a coordinated armed attack on police patrol teams along the Abatete–Eziowelle road in Anambra State on Wednesday. During the assault, one police officer was injured, and the militants made away with two service rifles.
The gunmen, heavily armed with general-purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles, arrived in a convoy consisting of a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all with unconfirmed registration numbers. Dressed in full military and police uniforms, they opened heavy gunfire on officers from the Department of Operations (DOPS), Awka, and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad.
The police responded with a fierce gun duel, which forced the attackers to retreat. During the exchange, the militants’ gunfire hit and set ablaze the patrol bus belonging to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, while a DOPS patrol pickup van was damaged.
In the chaos, Inspector Uduak Anthony of MOPOL 29 Awka, attached to the DOPS team, lost his Type 06 rifle (Breech No. 10967), loaded with 35 rounds, after it slipped from his grip during the firefight. The militants quickly snatched the weapon.
As the gunmen fled the scene, they also snatched a Mercedes Benz SUV from a motorist identified as Eze Tochukwu from Enugu State, heading toward Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area.
At Umuoji, the militants crossed paths with two police officers traveling with former Anambra Governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. The officers, Insp. Eniobong Roberts of 29 PMF Awka and Insp. Udezike Kingsley of DOPS, were ambushed and opened fire. Insp. Udezike was shot in the left leg while trying to take cover, and his AK-47 rifle was stolen.
Insp. Roberts engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon the snatched Mercedes Benz SUV, which was later recovered by police. The injured officer, Insp. Udezike, is currently receiving treatment at Crown Hospital, Nkpor, and is reported to be responding well.
A senior police officer confirmed that the command’s tactical units have been activated and are currently searching suspected hideouts, camps, and escape routes of the attackers to arrest those responsible and recover the stolen firearms.
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