Officer shot dead as ‘hoodlums’ set police station ablaze in Abia

Vehicles parked within the premises of the station were also said to have been burnt down by the attackers, who struck in the early hours of Tuesday.

Geoffrey Ogbonna, police public relations officer in the state, confirmed the incident.

He said the hoodlums, who were over 100, attacked the police station from a nearby compound with the intention of overrunning it.

Ogbonna said the attackers forcefully gained entry into the facility and freed some suspects.

He explained that some policemen on duty engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle, which resulted in the death of one policeman and some casualties on the side of the hoodlums, while many others fled with bullet injuries.

The police spokesperson said some of the hoodlums have been arrested, adding that the police is on the trail of others who are on the run.

John Kalu, Abia commissioner for information, also confirmed the incident.

He said the state government is offering N1 million reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.

Kalu said the government has imposed a ban on the use of tricycles and motorcycles from 7pm to 7am in “all major cities” in the state.

“We wish to assure members of the public that the government is working with security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly crime and bring them to justice as quickly as possible,” Kalu said in a statement.

“No part of Abia land will be ceded to criminals operating under any guise, and we will not spare any resource in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book in no distant time and the stolen arms and ammunition recovered completely.

“Sadly, the arms these hoodlums have carted away from law enforcement agents will most likely be used against innocent citizens.

“Government, therefore, calls on citizens to avail law enforcement agencies with vital information that will lead to the arrest of the criminals and recovery of these arms.”