18 alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra have been taken into custody by Imo State Police Command officers in relation to the deaths of two officers at Ahiara Junction in the state’s Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area.
The PUNCH learned that on Monday, while the officers were pulling over to refuel, the suspects—dressed in military camouflage—attacked them. They also reportedly swooped down on the unwary officers in three different vehicles and began firing intermittently.
The divisional police officer of Ahiazu-Mbaise and an inspector have been identified as the two officers slain in the incident, according to Henry Okoye, the police command’s spokesperson.
He said, “The police operatives fought gallantly but unfortunately, the DPO and an inspector of police paid the supreme price in the gun duel that ensued, while two police officers survived the attack.
“Police operatives led by CP Aboki Danjuma on a confidence-building patrol in Ahaizu Mbaise responded immediately and gave the hoodlums a hot chase, which forced them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries, abandoning some of their operational motorcycles.
“The operatives were swiftly reinforced by the military led by the Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze. Intense combing of the area is ongoing.
“Meanwhile, a total of 18 suspects have been arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.”