The Abia Police Command has confirmed the murder of an Inspector of Police and five other people in Aba, Abia’s economic hub, during a deadly attack on a police patrol unit on Sunday.
SP Maureen Chinaka, the state’s police public relations officer (PPRO), acknowledged the occurrence on the command’s official platform.
Chinaka said that three civilians and an Inspector, Shehu Oyibo, were killed during a gunfight between the unidentified gunmen and the patrol squad, while two of the perpetrators were neutralised.
She named the deceased civilians as Chika Godliveth, a man; Onyenaturuchi Jonah, a male (32) from Item, Abia; and Eniobong Godsgift Clement, a female (18) from Akwa Ibom.
She stated that the three people were killed by bullets fired by the assailants.
The PPRO also claimed that other members of the killing gang escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds.
“Today, July 21, 2024, at about 1128 hours, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Aba, while on patrol along Ngwa Road/Mosque Junction, Aba, were attacked by armed men in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle.
“The armed men opened fire on the police personnel, and they repelled the attack, preventing what could have been a deadlier outcome,” Chinaka said.
She further stated that the remains of the deceased individuals had been deposited at the mortuary.
She stated that an inquiry into the incident had begun with the goal of apprehending the fleeing gang members.
The PPRO guaranteed the people their safety and encouraged them to carry out their authorised activities without fear.
