Suspected IPOB Member Killed During Attack On Ebonyi Police Station

Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have killed a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB/ESN) at Uwana in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

The Ebonyi Police spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, disclosed this to newsmen in Abakaliki on Sunday after the gunmen attacked the Police Divisional Headquarters at Unwana in the early hours of Sunday.

According to her, two AK-47 rifles and other incriminating items were also recovered while some of the hoodlums escaped with gunshot injuries.

“At 0300hrs of today, 24th October 2021 yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be members of proscribed IPOB/ESN numbering about thirty-five (35) attacked Unwana Divisional Headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, shooting sporadically at the policemen on duty, who immediately repelled the attackers. In the gun battle that ensued one (1) of the hoodlums was killed and two AK-47 rifles/other incriminating items were recovered while others escaped with bullet wound injuries.

“Regrettably, one Police Inspector attached to the Division was fatally wounded. The Police Facility/Operational vehicles are intact.

“Investigation revealed that the deceased suspect had been on the police wanted list for various attacks on police stations and one of the recovered AK-47 rifles has been identified to be the rifle stolen from Ohaukwu Police Division early this month,” Odah said.

But a local source in the area who pleaded anonymity told newsmen that the attackers killed some policemen.

“They killed three policemen, one constable and two inspectors and the police killed one of the gunmen,” the source said.

“Nobody knows the identity of the gunman and police have taken his remains away.

“The incident happened around 2 am, nobody knows the route they came from, all we heard was gunshots for about 10 minutes.

“The men were masked but the one killed had his face unveiled by the police to ascertain his identity. He also had red clothe tied around his waist which we believe was a charm,” the source added.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba, has ordered a manhunt on the fleeing hoodlums.

He then appealed to law-abiding citizens of the state to promptly volunteer useful information to unravel the true identities of the fleeing gang members.