Two police officers assigned to Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives representing Isiala-Ngwa North/South Constituency, were reportedly ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia.
The incident which occurred on Sunday around 8:30 pm left one police officer who sustained multiple gunshot wounds dead while the other officer and the driver escaped the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, who confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday, said the Abia State Police Command is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The statement reads,”On 17/11/2024, at about 20:30hrs, two police officers, from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 4, Makurdi Inspector Dunna Jatau and Inspector Bala Mohammed assigned to Honorable Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Nsiala-Ngwa North/South constituency, were ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia.
“The officers were in a Police Toyota Hilux vehicle after accompanying and dropping off the Honorable in Umuahia. On their way, near Umuahia South Local Government Area Secretariat in Ubakala, their vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black attire, operating in a Toyota Corolla with tinted windows.
“The assailants blocked the path of the police vehicle and opened fire. Tragically, Insp. Bala Mohammed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Insp Dunna Jatau and the driver escaped the attack.
“The area was immediately combed by officers of the command as a comprehensive search operation was launched to locate the attackers. Tactical teams have been deployed to track down the fleeing suspects. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“The Abia State Police Command is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. We urge the public to remain calm, stay security conscious, go about their activities, and report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the nearest police station.”
It is the second time in one week security operatives will come under attack in the southeastern state.
A few days ago, unidentified gunmen reportedly killed two soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA along Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The military blamed the attack on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
There was also another attack on a military checkpoint in Abia State which claimed five soldiers in Aba in May.
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