Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers, 3 Policemen In Ebonyi

Three policemen were yesterday shot dead and another injured when unknown gunmen attacked policemen at the border checkpoint along the Enugu/Abakaliki expressway.

The hoodlums who were said to have operated in two Sienna buses reportedly opened fire on getting to the checkpoint killing three policemen on the spot.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the unknown gunmen earlier killed two soldiers at another checkpoint before they struck at the one at Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway.

Confirming the incident, the police public relations officer Chris Anyanwu described the incident as unfortunate and assured that the men of the command would continue to work assiduously until all forms of criminal activities are brought to its minimum in the state.

“Yesterday’s attack by unknown gunmen at Ebonyi/Enugu boundary took place at about 18:08hrs. Three Police personnel of Operation Safer Highway, fatally injured. Later confirmed dead. Hoodlums operated in two sienna vehicles, drove into the Check-point, opened fire on the policemen,” SP Anyanwu said.

It was gathered that another policeman who was shot on the leg is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Abakaliki.

LEADERSHIP also gathered that the armed men had before the attack at the Ebonyi/Enugu Boundary checkpoint also attacked another checkpoint at the Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway killing two military personnel.

Though the number of the gunmen could not be ascertained as at the time of this report, it was gathered that the gunmen numbered about nine and were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the heavy gunshots during the attack caused panic and apprehension at the nearby community of Nkalagu as shop owners, commercial motorcyclists, passersby and motorists scampered for safety.

A resident of the area who spoke to LEADERSHIP on grounds of anonymity said that the attack was carried out Saturday evening adding that the gunshot resulted in total confusion among residents of the area and the villagers who were retiring back to their different homes.

“The incident happened on Saturday evening before 7pm when many were still at their shops and other businesses were still open. The gunshot created panic in the community and many had to scamper for safety to avoid any eventuality.

“Our community is along the major express road so we are always mindful of any uncertainty so the moment we started hearing the gunshot which didn’t last for too long and observing that it was coming from the boundary of Ebonyi and Enugu, at first we thought it was armed robbers but when information filtered in, it was confirmed that unknown gunmen attacked police checkpoint,” the source said.

Apart from gunmen attack on Ebubeagu security operatives in the state, policemen at the different checkpoints in Ebonyi State have also faced several attacks by unknown gunmen with many deaths recorded.

This brings to three attacks on police checkpoints along the Ebonyi axis of the ever busy Enugu-Abakaliki Road.