Ebonyi state Police Command Friday evening confirmed killing of four officers and two civilians along Hilltop road, Abakaliki.
The police officers were said to have been on duty when unknown gunmen attacked them.
The incident which occurred around 5:30am is the second attack on thesame road this year.
A statement signed by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Joshua Ukandu disclosed that the gunmen abandoned a pump action rifle at the scene of the incident.
“Today 08/03/2024 at about 05:00am, operatives of the Command who were posted to duty at hilltop stop and search/pin-down point along Nwofe Road, at the outskirts of Abakaliki, were attacked by armed hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ESN members, who shot sporadically at the operatives.
“The operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, and in the ensuing gun battle, the hoodlums scampered and abandoned a pump action rifle which was recovered. However, four (4) of the operatives paid the supreme price, while two (2) civilians were caught in the crossfire and killed.
“The Commissioner Of Police Ebonyi state police Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, psc, swiftly dispatched tactical teams of the command to the scene, who are on the trail of the fleeing hoodlums.
“She is using this medium to call on the good citizens of the State to provide the command with valuable information that could help apprehend the fleeing hoodlums and assured that the command remains steadfastly dedicated to safeguarding lives and properties in the state”.
Following the security challenges in the state,Government Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state through a release by the Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor ordered confiscation of vehicles with tinted glass and vehicles without number plate.
“Based on his determination to secure the lives and property of Residents, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has issued the following directives:
“Nobody no matter how highly placed is authorized to use tinted glasses and siren in any part of the State.
“It has also become a grievous offence for anybody in any part of the state to use vehicles without plate numbers and licences.
“Accordingly, Law Enforcement Agencies have been directed to apprehend offenders and impound their vehicles. Such offender(s) must be properly interrogated and such vehicles can only be released with clearance from the Office of the Governor”.
