•••Two Suspects Arrested, Three Riffles, Pump Action Gun, Vehicles, Others Recovered
By John Ugo, Awka
It was yet another sad day for the police as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant arm the Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN launched an attack on Awada Police Station, Onitsha, killing the Divisional Police Officer, and three other police operatives in an early morning attack.
The separatist group also set ablaze one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze with petrol bombs.
However, a Joint Security Team of Soldiers and operatives of the Anambra State Police command killed three members of the group during the attack.
Two suspects were arrested by the joint security team while three Kalashnikov riffles, one pump action gun, vehicles and other items were recovered from the hoodlums.
The Public Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday to newsmen in Awka the state capital.
The Police Spokesman was silent on the identity of the murdered police officers and men.
The Network had reported that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station, an inspector and a newly recruited police constable were said to have been killed in the early morning attack.
He said, “Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 am, gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North Local Governnent Area of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.
“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded.
“Three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.”
“Other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with reg no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen properties, charms and other incriminating items.”
Ikenga stated that,”During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended.”
“Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng E. Echeng had visited the scene of the incident , to conduct on the spot assessments.
He also ordered the immediate deployment of all the command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang.
The CP further appealed to residents of Awada and the good people of Anambra State to remain calm as the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, would not rest on their oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state are brought to justice.
The latest development came less than 24 hours after six persons were killed during an attack by gunmen on 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters, Nkwelle-Ezunaka in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
On Friday, three police officers were killed in an attack on a police station in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.
On December 28, 2022, gunmen attacked the police divisional headquarters in the Ihiala area of the state with explosives.
The South East zone including the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has heaped the blame of the incessant attacks and destructions at the door steps of the factional leader of IPOB Mr. Simon Ekpa-whose members operate under the umbrella of Auto pilot group.
The activities of the blood thirsty hoodlums is believed to have over stretched the personnel of the state police command.
