Two officers, one civilian killed as gunmen attack police checkpoint in Imo

Some gunmen have reportedly killed two police officers during an attack on a checkpoint in Akabor, Ikeduru LGA of Imo state.

A source who spoke with TheCable said the incident occurred on Tuesday morning.

The source said the gunmen attacked the officers from the back, adding that the attack disrupted the movement of vehicles and passengers who retreated due to fear.

The source said a passerby was also shot dead by the gunmen.

“There was a serious panic this morning some minutes after 6am within Akabo (Ama-John) axis along Okigwe road as group of bandits shot and killed two police men on duty and a passerby,” the source said.

“They were four armed gunmen on Sienna bus and zoomed their way towards Okigwe after shooting the officers. As I speak, the road is scanty.

“Drivers and passengers taking the Okigwe road have stopped far away to allow the situation calm down.”

Confirming the development in a statement, Henry Okoye, Imo police spokesperson, said the attackers were suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Okoye said Aboki Danjuma, police commissioner in the state, has directed the deployment of some officers with operational resources to hunt down the attackers.

“The tragic incident was perpetrated In the early hours of 11/06/2024 by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) who attacked the operatives in their numbers firing sporadically,” the statement reads.

“The operatives fought gallantly but unfortunately, two personnel and a civilian were fatally hit.

“In the wake of the tragic incident, the commissioner of police Imo state command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside the DC operations led police operatives to the scene of the crime for on-the-spot assessment of the incident.

“Intense operation is ongoing in the area for possible apprehension and prosecution of the fleeing hoodlums responsible for the senseless act of violence.”

He said the commissioner has constituted an investigation team to apprehend the perpetrators.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner commiserated with the families of the deceased officers and assured them of justice.

He added that the bodies of the deceased officers and the civilian have been recovered and deposited in a mortuary for preservation.