Gunmen Attack Police Unit in Imo State: One Officer Killed, Two Others Injured

By our reporter

An armed attack on personnel of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intervention Squad in Imo State has resulted in the death of one police officer and left two others seriously injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at Ohii Junction, along the Owerri-Orlu Road.

According to sources within the Imo State Police Command, the officers were on routine patrol duty when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen believed to be part of a separatist group operating in the South-East region.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived in a convoy of vehicles and opened fire without warning, leading to a gun battle that lasted several minutes. The scale and coordination of the ambush suggest that it was carefully planned.

One officer was killed on the spot, while two others sustained gunshot wounds. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Their condition is described as critical.

The Imo State Police Command condemned the attack and confirmed that a manhunt has been launched to track down those responsible. In a brief statement, the command assured the public that every effort is being made to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been briefed and has ordered a full investigation into the incident. Additional police reinforcements have also been deployed to the area in response to the growing security threats in the region.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, security analysts suspect the involvement of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been linked to previous attacks on security personnel in the region.

This latest assault underscores the persistent security challenges in Imo State and the wider South-East, where law enforcement agencies continue to battle rising insurgency and separatist violence.

Residents have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities as police operations continue.