Two police officers have been reportedly killed during an early morning attack on Police Zonal headquarters in Ukpo, Anambra State.
Sources identified the names of the officers as Uzomma and Ishaku. However, the Zonal command denied the officers were killed, stating instead that they sustained injuries.
DSP Nwode Nkiruika, the zonal Public relations officer of the command said the attackers came in their numbers shooting sporadically in order to gain access to the facility but were repelled “by Police personnel on duty who showed profound gallantry in the face of the seemingly overwhelming attack.
“Following the inability of the attackers to access the facility, they cowardly threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on vehicles within the periphery of the Headquarters.
“One of the criminal elements was neutralized during the exchange of gunfire between the Police and the attackers while many of the gang members escaped with gunshots injuries.
“One L7A2 General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Ninety-two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally-made smoke pistol and an axe were recovered by the Police. Regrettably, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and are presently receiving treatment.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Kuryas Monday, fsi, who is also standing in for the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police, has commended the Police operatives for putting up a strong resistance against the attackers.
“The CP, supported by other senior officers from Zone-13 Headquarters and the State Command, is personally leading a special operation aimed at tracing, identifying and arresting the perpetrators to bring them to book. He also called on proprietors of private and public (including unorthodox) medical facilities in and around Anambra state to admit, but report anyone found seeking medical attention for bullet wounds and related injuries to the nearest police station.
“The CP has called on citizens in the State not to panic but to go about their lawful duties. While assuring of the Command’s resolve to re-dominate, reclaim and secure all public spaces as directed by the Inspector General of Police, the CP enjoins members of the public to continue to support the Police with vital and timely information on the activities of criminals and other subversive elements within their respective communities”
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen on Monday morning razed Uzuakoli Divisional Police station in Bende LGA of Abia state.
Before torching the division, the gunmen attacked it and freed suspects.
Punch reports that the incident happened around 2 am when residents had gone to sleep.
