Again, Gunmen Kill 2 Policemen in Abia

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Hoodlums have again shot dead two policemen at a checkpoint in Ohafia, bringing to three the number of police personnel cut down in the last 72 hours.

Eye witnesses said that the incident happened Thursday morning at the checkpoint between Ebem and Asaga in Ohafia Local Government of Abia State.

Reports from the area indicate that fear and panic have gripped residents of the affected communities as people contemplate possible reprisal from security agents.

The state Police Command was yet to issue an official statement on the latest incident and efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chilaka, were futile, as she didn’t pick the calls made to her phone.

The deaths of the two police officers bring to three the number of police personnel lost to hoodlums in the last 72 hours.

A statement signed by Chilaka had earlier reported that a police officer was killed and others wounded on Monday during an attack at Ubakala, the headquarters of Umuahia South Local Government.

She said that the attackers targeted the convoy of the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe.

According to the police spokesperson, the personnel in a police Toyota Hilux vehicle had come under attack on their way back after dropping the federal lawmaker at Umuahia.

“On their way in Ubakala, their vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black attire, operating in a Toyota Corolla with tinted windows,” Chilaka said, adding that: “they blocked the path of the police vehicle and opened fire”.

“Tragically, Insp. Bala Mohammed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene, while Insp. Dunna Jatau and the driver escaped the attack,” she said.

Attacks on security agents appear to be on the rise since November 13 when two army personnel were gunned down by hoodlums at Ekenobisi, an Abia community at the border with Imo State.