Officer shot dead as gunmen set police station ablaze in Imo

A police officer was killed on Thursday during an attack by gunmen on Orsu divisional police station in Orsu LGA in Imo state.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the police station on Thursday night.

The attackers reportedly threw improvised explosive device (IEDs) on the roof of the station, which exploded and razed a section of the building.

Several vehicles were subsequently burnt as a result of the inferno that occurred.

Mike Abattem, police spokesperson in Imo, confirmed the incident to TheCable on Friday.

He said the officers engaged the attackers in a fire-fight killing three of the gunmen in the process.

He added that weapons — one pump-action gun and two locally-made double-barrelled pistols — were recovered from the gunmen while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“On August 5, about 21:35 hours, armed bandits, in their numbers attacked and threw explosives and petrol bombs on top of the roof of Orsu Police station damaging the roof and causing fire outbreak in the station which spread and affected some of the vehicles parked at the parking lot,” he said.

“The command’s tactical teams on the ground engaged the bandits in a gun duel. And due to the superior firepower of the police the bandits were subdued. Three of the bandits were neutralised and their guns, one pump action gun, and two locally-made double barrel pistols were recovered while others escaped into the bush with bullet wounds. Unfortunately, a police inspector lost his life in the attack.”

The Imo police command asked residents in the state, especially Orsu community, to report suspicious activities to nearest the police station.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeted at police stations in the state by gunmen.