The Imo State Police Command has lost two of his officers during an attack by armed guys believed to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Isu Police Division of the state.

According to the command, while one continual minor bullet injury on his head, the officers were eliminated throughout a gun duel in between them and the outlaws in an effort to fend off an attack on a police headquarters in the locality.

The Police Public Relations Officers in the state, Michael Abatham, confirmed this in a declaration provided to newsmen in Owerri on Monday.

The command said, “On February 20, 2022, at about 2330 hours, armed males thought to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN), in their numbers can be found in two Toyota Sienna buses, a Toyota Camry automobile and unspecified number of motorbikes, assaulted the station from the rear axis since, the station has no perimeter wall, shooting sporadically, threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that ignited the station.

“The police operatives of the department right away reacted by engaging the ruffians in a gun duel. Due to the exceptional fire-power of the cops, the hooligans were dealt a heavy blow and they scuttled for security, running in various directions with numerous degrees of gunshot injuries.

“The gallant authorities operatives did not relent, they provided the ruffians a hot chase and while getting away, some ran into Golden Suite Hotel and Isu Villa Hotel respectively, the 2 hotels were immediately cordoned and robbed and while doing so, a total of 12 motorbikes without recognition numbers and two vehicles one Lexus RX350 SUV and one Lexus RX330 SUV, believed to have actually been utilized by the hoodlums were seen and recovered. Also 17 male and a female suspects were apprehended and are undergoing interrogation.

The statement added, “The fire and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) impacted some vehicles and part of the building of the division, and unfortunately, 2 law enforcement officers paid the supreme rate, while one sustained small bullet injury on his head.”

The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, while consoling the households of the officers, who gallantly lost their lives, appealed to the great people of the state, not to allow terrorists touse their communities, hotels or houses as a meeting point for wicked activities.

He then advised them not to relent in their efforts till all criminal components and their partners are nabbed and made to deal with the complete wrath of the law.