Gunmen attack police checkpoint in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi police command says gunmen attacked some of its personnel while on duty on G-Hostel Road in Abakaliki.

Chris Anyanwu, spokesperson of the police command, said the attack occurred around 3:30pm on Wednesday.

Anyanwu said one of the gunmen was killed by the police officers during the attack.

“Our men were attacked while on a stop-and-search duty along Enugu expressway, G-hostel axis in Abakaliki at about 3.30 p.m,” he said.

“When the hoodlums shot at our men, they responded and were able to gun down one person.

“Some of the gunmen, who operated a Toyota Sienna Bus, escaped with bullet injuries.

“The gunman who was shot was still alive, but later died at Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital where he was taken for treatment.

“Our men recovered two guns, including one double barrel gun (locally-made) and one AK-47. We also recovered some charms from the gunmen.”

Police officers and stations in the south-east have been frequent targets of attacks in recent months.

The attacks have been blamed on members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) but the separatist group has continued to deny involvement.