The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has confirmed an attack on Abayi Police Station in Aba, Abia State in which two officers were killed by hoodlums.
The IGP in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba disclosed that about two hundred hoodlums invaded the Abayi Police Station on Tuesday and set it ablaze.
The statement however noted that four of the hoodlums that attacked the station were killed by the Police while 8 others were arrested and arms and ammunition recovered from the hoodlums who staged the attack.
While mourning the death of the two officers killed, the IGP noted that an investigation has been opened into the matter while those who sustained injuries during the attack are receiving treatment in the hospital.
The statement reads: “The Police in Abia State Command successfully neutralised (4) four attackers, arrested (8) eight persons and recovered arms and ammunition from hoodlums who carried out an unprovoked attack on Abayi Police Station, Aba in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State in the early hours of 23rd February, 2021.”
“It is worth noting that the hoodlums numbering about two hundred persons, armed with AK47 rifles and matchetes invaded the station and set part of it ablaze with the aid of petrol bombs and other explosives. Following the attack, two officers, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Vincent Gonze and Sergeant Emmanuel Okoronkwo unfortunately paid the supreme price.”
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu NPM mni commiserates with the family and friends of the deceased officers. He warns that dire consequences await any person or group of persons who, under whatever guise, engages in an unwarranted attack on any public property and directs all Command CPs to employ all legally permissible measures to protect lives and property.”
“Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing and the perpetrators of the unwholesome incident will be prosecuted in due course. The police high command calls on proprietors of medical facilities – both public and private – in and around Abia State to report any person(s) found seeking medical treatment for bullet wounds and other related injuries to the nearest police station.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government has confirmed the killing of 18 persons in two local government areas of the state in the last 48 hours.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, nine people were killed in both Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State by armed bandits.
Apart from the people killed, the statement added that many houses were burnt down while animals including cows and poultry birds were also rustled.
Aruwan said the bandits attacked the villages as a retaliation for some of their members that were earlier killed in airstrikes by the military.