Imo State Police Command officers have detained 18 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in connection with the shooting of two officers at Ahiara Junction in the state’s Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area.
According to reports, the officers were attacked by the suspects, who were dressed in military camouflage, when they stopped to refuel their vehicles on Monday.
It was also said that the perpetrators descended on the unwitting officers in three vehicles, shooting intermittently.
The two officers murdered in the incident have been named as the divisional police officer of Ahiazu-Mbaise and an inspector, according to the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
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.”
He added that the offi ers of the law “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.”
