Two police officers lost their lives during an attack by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) on the Isu police station in Imo state on Sunday, February 20.
The state police spokesperson CSP Michael Abattam, who disclosed this in a statement said the armed men came in two (2) Toyota Sienna Buses, a Toyota Camry Car and an unspecified number of motorcycles, attacked the station from the rear axis because, the station has no perimeter wall, shooting sporadically, threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.D) that ignited the station.
Abattam mentioned that the police operatives of the division immediately responded by engaging the hoodlums in a gun duel. Due to the superior fire-power of the Police, the hoodlums were dealt a heavy blow and they scampered for safety, running in different directions with various degrees of gunshot wounds.
He said the gallant police operatives did not relent as they gave the hoodlums a hot chase and while escaping, some ran into Golden Suite Hotel and Isu Villa Hotel respectively, the two hotels were immediately cordoned and raided and in the process.
“A total of Twelve (12) motorcycles without identification numbers and two vehicles one (1) Lexus RX350 SUV and one (1) Lexus RX330 SUV believed to have been used by the hoodlums were seen and recovered. Also seventeen (17) male and a female suspects were arrested and undergoing interrogation.
However, the fire and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) affected some vehicles and part of the building of the division, and unfortunately, two police officers paid the supreme prize, while one sustained minor bullet injury on his head,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, psc, while consoling the families of the officers who gallantly lost their lives, appealed to the good people of the state, not to allow terrorist to use their Communities, Hotels or Houses as a meeting point to converge for any nefarious activities.
He then, advised them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. And thanked Imolites for their continuous support and collaboration by giving security agencies especially the Police, credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within their communities , to the nearest police station for prompt action.