GUNMEN AMBUSH POLICE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO ABIA REPS MEMBER, ONE KILLED

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One police officer was killed in the Sunday, 8:30 p.m. event after being shot many times, while the other officer and the driver were unharmed.

In a statement provided to Channels Television on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer Maureen Chinaka acknowledged the attack and stated that the Abia State Police Command is dedicated to prosecuting those responsible.

The statement reads,”On 17/11/2024, at about 20:30hrs, two police officers, from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 4, Makurdi Inspector Dunna Jatau and Inspector Bala Mohammed assigned to Honorable Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Nsiala-Ngwa North/South constituency, were ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia.

“The officers were in a Police Toyota Hilux vehicle after accompanying and dropping off the Honorable in Umuahia. On their way, near Umuahia South Local Government Area Secretariat in Ubakala, their vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black attire, operating in a Toyota Corolla with tinted windows.

“The assailants blocked the path of the police vehicle and opened fire. Tragically, Insp. Bala Mohammed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Insp Dunna Jatau and the driver escaped the attack.

“The area was immediately combed by officers of the command as a comprehensive search operation was launched to locate the attackers. Tactical teams have been deployed to track down the fleeing suspects. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“The Abia State Police Command is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. We urge the public to remain calm, stay security conscious, go about their activities, and report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the nearest police station.”

Security personnel in the southeast state will be attacked for the second time in a week.

Two soldiers from the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA were purportedly slain a few days ago by unidentified gunmen along Umuahia – Owerri Road in the Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed branch, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), were held accountable by the military for the attack.

In May, five soldiers were killed in another attack on a military checkpoint in Abia State.