On Tuesday, the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the murder of a high-ranking officer by armed hoodlums at the Union Bank roundabout in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The victim, whose name has not yet been released as of the time of filing this report, was murdered by armed robbers on Monday night, while two other police officers were seriously injured by bullets.
The State Capital’s Union Bank roundabout is where banks are concentrated, according to reports, where police officers were performing stop and search duties.
The incident was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP. Faleye Olayele, in a statement made available to newsmen by the command’s spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya.
The commissioner said: “The Operatives of the Command on stop and search duty at Union Bank roundabout, the area where banks are concentrated in the State Capital, engaged in a shootout with heavily armed hoodlums, whose missions were unknown in the area.
“Sadly, one of the operatives paid the supreme price, while two others were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital. Also, the hoodlums equally recorded casualties but were taken away.”
The commissioner vowed to ensure that the killers were brought to book to answer for the crime they committed in the state.
“The general public should remain calm, as measures have been placed to protect the lives and property of the citizens,” he said.
Olayele appealed to the members of the public to report anyone seen with a bullet wound or soliciting for treatment for same in the state.