Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen yesterday attacked a police checkpoint on the Abakaliki/Enugu highway killing at least one policeman and setting a police patrol van on fire.
Africa Today News, New York gathered that the incident happened at the Ishieke Junction, on the outskirts of the Abakaliki metropolis.
As of the time this report was filed, there was no independent confirmation of the reports from local sources claiming that the gunmen had also kidnapped a second police officer.
When contacted, however, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to newsmen.
Ukandu said the incident occurred on Thursday at about 7.15am and that hoodlums in a Sienna car attacked the police checkpoint at the state’s Ishieke junction.
He noted that the officers were able to repel the attackers, adding, however, that one of the officers was “fatally wounded,” and a patrol car was set ablaze.
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He said, “Today, April 11, 2024, at about 7.15am, hoodlums in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle attacked the police checkpoint at the Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi LGA of Ebonyi State.
“The hoodlums shot sporadically at the officers, who engaged them fiercely and were able to repel them. However, one of the officers was fatally wounded, and a patrol vehicle was set ablaze.”
The police spokesperson added that an investigation is ongoing and normalcy has been restored in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police immediately deployed police operatives to the scene, and they are on the trail of the hoodlums. Meanwhile, calm and normalcy have been restored to the area.
“The CP is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals in the state to avail the command with useful information that will aid in apprehending the fleeing hoodlums while noting that the command remains resolute in its fight against crime and criminality and the protection of lives and properties, Ukandu said.