Crime & SecurityNewsNigeriaGunmen Kill 2 Policemen, Civilian in Early Morning Attack

Two police officers and a civilian have been killed by unknown gunmen at a security checkpoint along the Owerri-Okigwe road in Imo state.

The incident reportedly unfolded on Tuesday in Akabo, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

Eyewitness reports indicate that the heavily armed gunmen arrived in a vehicle and targeted the officers stationed at the checkpoint. The attack happened around 6:00 a.m., catching the officers by surprise. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, but sadly, two police officers lost their lives in the attack.

The violence tragically extended beyond the checkpoint. A civilian passerby was also shot by the gunmen. It remains unclear whether they were deliberately targeted or caught in the crossfire.

The gunmen thereafter fled the scene, leaving it chaotic, with the bodies of the deceased officers and the civilian lying on the ground.

Police authorities in Imo State have confirmed the attack and are currently investigating the incident to track down the assailants, suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Imo State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He has reportedly deployed a tactical police squad to the area to track down the gunmen.

This attack adds to a string of violent incidents that have plagued Imo State in recent months. The State has witnessed a rise in targeted killings, kidnappings, and attacks on security forces. Efforts to curb the violence are ongoing, but the situation remains tense.