The Imo State Police Command reported a major victory against violent crime following a deadly exchange of gunfire with suspected IPOB/ESN gunmen along the Owerri-Aba Road, near Owerri Airport, on Tuesday. The encounter saw one suspect killed, while others fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning a vehicle and arms.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye detailed that the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) was conducting a routine patrol when approximately ten armed assailants launched a surprise assault. The attackers, operating in two vehicles, were swiftly countered by CTU operatives, who demonstrated exceptional bravery and tactical skill. The ensuing gunfight led to one of the assailants being neutralized, while the remaining gunmen retreated, leaving behind a Mercedes Jeep with Lagos registration AAA 101 GR, an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of 9.62mm ammunition, and an IPOB/ESN flag.
“There were no casualties among the police operatives, who recovered an assortment of evidence at the scene,” Okoye stated. Following the incident, security forces commenced an intensive search of nearby bushland to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police Commissioner Akoji Danjuma has issued an alert to medical practitioners and the general public, urging them to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to the nearest police station. He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting the lives and safety of all Imo residents and vowed continued measures against any threats to peace in the state.
This latest confrontation highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, but also underscores the Imo Police Command’s determination to tackle violent crime and terrorism effectively.
