The Police in Imo state repelled an attack on a police station in Orji In Owerri North Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bala Elkana in Owerri said the command arrested five of the alleged attackers.
The police spokesperson said the hoodlum attempted to stop reconstruction work on the station which was set ablaze during the EndSARS protest in the year 2020.
He also disclosed that the team which was led by the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abutu Yaro, engaged the gunmen in a gun duel.
Elkana added that the gunmen abandoned their operational vehicles and fled into the neighboring town.
“The hoodlums, who believed that the re-establishment of a functional police station may prevent them from carrying out their nefarious acts in Orji and environ, decided to invade the construction site.
“A philanthropist contracted the reconstruction project and the CP, Abutu Yaro, personally led an enforcement team to the scene.
“Before the arrival of the reinforcement team, the hoodlums melted into the neighboring towns but abandoned their operational vehicles.
“The whole area was cordoned and five suspects, namely Chigaemezu Sabastine, 26, Casmir Ibe, 36, John Chinonso, 24, Chukwudi Okoro, 28, and Alozie Daberechi, 25 were arrested.
“Meanwhile, no life was lost but three vehicles were recovered,” he said.
He added that the mop-up operation was ongoing to arrest more suspects and recover their firearms.
