A combined team of police operatives from different units have successfully eliminated suspected assailants responsible for the killing of Ahmed Gulak in cold blood earlier on Sunday.
This development was announced in a statement on Sunday night by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana on behalf of the State Police Commissioner.
It comes a few hours after Gulak was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday while he was on his way to Abuja from Owerri.
According to the statement, the police teams, operating based on actionable intelligence, traced the suspects and met them at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
On sighting the police operatives, Elkana explained further that the gunmen opened fire but were overcome by the superior gunfire of the gallant officers.
During the gun battle that ensued, six gunmen who carried out the attack were killed while four other members of their gang were fatally injured.
Weapons and ammunition including 3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms, and 3 Operational Vehicles were recovered from the suspected criminals.
The statement also identified those that killed Gulak as IPOB/ESN operatives.
The full statement reads: “On 30th May, 2021 following a distress received by the Command on the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, Police Special Forces made up of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Tactical Units from the command were deployed to the scene at Obiangwu Junction at Ngorokpala LGA of Imo state.”
“The teams were given a clear instruction to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the act with a view of bringing them to justice.”
“Eye witnesses account, especially the account given by the Driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack.”
“The assailants were said to Have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).”
“Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken. With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of suspects.”
“The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums where met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with Onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.”
“On sighting the Police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams. The Gallant and battle ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire.”
“The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured. Three out of the four Vehicles Toyota Sienna, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Camry use by the IPOB/ESN Terrorist for their Operation were Demobilized/Recovered and 7 of the Terrorist with bullet wounds were completely burnt down inside the Toyota Sienna and Hilux Vehicles that caught fire during the Gun battle.”
“3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms and 3 Operational Vehicles of the IPOB/ESN were recovered.”
“The driver who drove late Ahmed Gulak and a co- victim who survived have all identified the dead body of the IPOB/ESN members positively as their attackers and also identified the three vehicles recovered as those used by the attackers. During the encounter, two of the police armored personnel carriers (APC) were riddled with bullets but survived the gun battle.”
“The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc commended the gallant effort of the team and admonished them to continue to protect the public space.”
armored personnel carriers (APC) were riddled with bullets but survived the gun battle.
6. The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc commended the gallant effort of the team and admonished them to continue to protect the public space.
— Police Public Relations Imo State Command (@PoliceNG_IMS) May 30, 2021
Naija News however recalls that IPOB had earlier denied any knowledge or involvement in the killing of Gulak.
The group said Gulak’s death is a political assassination.
IPOB also accused Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of knowing the circumstances behind the killing.
The article was originally published on Nigeria News