By From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka.
Anambra State Police Command in conjunction with a combined team of other sister agencies, yesterday, foiled an attempted attack by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ESN members, on the 33 Police Divisional Headquarters, at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Council of the state.
Spokesperson for the Command, Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement said security operatives neutralised six of the hoodlums.
Tochukwu also disclosed that items recovered during the operation included, two Ak47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), petrol bombs, one Toyota Sienna vehicle marked: Abuja ABC 848 EQ, charms and other incriminating items.
He said: “Police Operatives attached to 33 Police Divisional Headquarters, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, today, February 19, 023 by 5:58a.m., foiled an attack by IPOB/ESN Insurgents on the police facility, neutralised six of the insurgents, recovered two Ak47 rifles, one Toyota Sienna vehicle with Registration No Abuja ABC 848 EQ, charms and other incriminating items.
“The outlawed IPOB/ESN insurgents came in their numbers with two SUV vehicles and one Toyota Sienna, armed with guns, IEDs and petrol bombs.
“They started shooting indiscriminately to gain entrance to the station and were fiercely engaged and resisted by the Divisional Police Officer and his men in a long gun battle before the prompt reinforcement team, made up of the Military and PMF Operatives arrived at the scene.
“During the gun duel, unfortunately, one police operative attached to the station was fatally wounded and an office in the facility was partially affected by the petrol bomb the Insurgents threw inside the station.
“Also, one patrol vehicle parked in front of the station was set ablaze by the gunmen, while some of the insurgents escaped with gunshot injuries.”
Tochukwu said the situation has been brought under control, while the incident is still being assessed, adding that joint operations are still ongoing to track down the fleeing insurgents.
Source: The Guardian
