Imo: Police officer, two IPOB/ESN members killed during gun battle

A police officer and two hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been killed during a gun battle in Agwa, Oguta LGA of Imo State

The State Police Public Relationship Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, who disclosed this in a statement, said that other police personnel were treated and discharged from the hospital for minor injuries they sustained.

Narrating the incident, Abattam said corpses of the hoodlums were later deposited in Federal Medical Center Mortuary while investigation is ongoing.

“ESN members in their numbers emerged from the surrounding bushes, shooting sporadically at the policemen while conducting stop and search duty.

“The officers who swiftly took cover and responded, engaged them in a fierce gun duel, while they called for backup from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agwa .

“On arrival, they positioned themselves strategically and professionally engaged the hoodlums in a fire fight.

“For the operatives’ superior firepower and number, they were able to neutralize two of the hoodlums while others fled in disarray with bullet wounds into the bush.

“The police operatives tactically chased the hoodlums, in the process, combing the bush for possible recovery of their arms and arrest of the fleeing suspects. However, two locally made double barrel guns with seven live cartridges and ten expended cartridges were recovered at the scene,” the statement reads.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while consoling with the family of the officer who lost his life gallantly, advised the officers and men not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

He then appealed to Imolites for their continuous support and collaboration in giving the police and other security agencies credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community, to the nearest police station for prompt action.

Also he urged them to always make use of the command’s emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197 in times of distress.