Gunmen opened fire at approximately 5 a.m. on Friday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, resulting in the death of four police operatives at a checkpoint.
Additionally, two women were reported to have been killed during the attack. The targeted checkpoint is situated near a gas station close to Ebyia Bridge along Hilltop/Nwoke Road.
This marks the second assault on the checkpoint – the initial attack, which occurred last year, resulted in the deaths of approximately two individuals.
The road serves as a significant entry point into the city and also leads to Governor Francis Nwifuru’s country home.
According to a statement by police spokesperson Joshua Ụkandu, the operatives were conducting stop-and-search duties when they came under attack.
Mr. Ụkandu confirmed the incident, attributing the assault to suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, the militia arm of the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He stated that the gunmen exchanged gunfire with the operatives after shooting sporadically at them.
“In the ensuing gun battle, the hoodlums scampered and abandoned a pump action rifle which was recovered. However, four of the operatives paid the supreme price while two civilians were caught in the crossfire and killed,” he claimed.
The spokesperson added that the police are actively pursuing the gunmen as the commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Augustina Ogbodo, promptly dispatched tactical teams to the scene of the attack.
“She is using this medium to call on the good citizens of the state to provide the command with valuable information that could help apprehend the fleeing hoodlums and assured that the command remains steadfastly dedicated to safeguarding lives and properties in the state,” he said
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