Two police officers assigned to protect Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, the member of the House of Representatives for the Isiala-Ngwa North/South Constituency, were ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia.
The attack, which took place on Sunday at around 8:30 pm, resulted in the death of one officer who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the other officer and the driver managed to escape unharmed.
Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to Channels Television on Monday. She assured that the Abia State Police Command is fully committed to apprehending those responsible for the attack and bringing them to justice.
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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.”
This marks the second time in a week that security operatives have been attacked in the southeastern state.
Earlier, unidentified gunmen reportedly killed two soldiers from the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA along the Umuahia–Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The military has attributed the attack to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In a separate incident, five soldiers were killed in an attack on a military checkpoint in Aba, Abia State, in May.
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