Abia: 2 officers killed, 3 others injured as gunmen attack police station

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Two senior police officers attached to the Abia State Command were reported killed and three others injured when gunmen attacked the Uratta Divisional Headquarters in Aba, Abia State.

Information from the city indicated that the gunmen invaded the police station at about 2:20am on Saturday and used explosives to destroy part of the building.

The hoodlums were also said to have burnt the station’s patrol van and operated for close to an hour without any challenge.

Unconfirmed report has it that the gunmen might have come in search of guns and ammunition, but that they were unable to get any.

Confirming the incident, the police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Maureen Chinaka, said at about 02:26hrs, the hoodlums attacked the division with explosives, resulting in a fire that damaged part of the building and the divisional patrol van.

She said two senior police officers lost their lives, while three inspectors sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

The Command further clarified that no firearms or ammunition were carted away by the attackers during the incident.

According to the PPRO, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, personally led an operational team comprising tactical units of the Command to the area.

The team, she said, combed the surrounding environment and restored calm, while intensified security operations and monitoring are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

She said that the Commissioner of Police has condemned the attack and assured that the perpetrators will not escape justice.

The PPRO said that the commissioner emphasised that the Command will deploy all necessary operational and intelligence resources to identify and apprehend those responsible, assuring that the hoodlums will be brought to justice.

“The Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers and the entire Police family over this painful loss.”

“Residents are urged to remain calm, vigilant and to support the Police with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.”

Governor Alex Otti had also visited the station where he sympathised with the command and families of the officers who lost their lives.

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