The Imo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who ambushed and killed two Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers on patrol in Okigwe part of the State.
This was made known through a statement made available to journalists by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, on Saturday.
According to the Police spokesman, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of MOPOL 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawdd IPOB and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.
“On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside Commander MOPOL 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.”
The CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical Units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and enplace watertight security to forestall any future occurrence.
The CP called on the general public, particularly the residents of Okigwe, who may have any useful information that will assist the Police in the investigation to kindly report at the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600 and 08103341610.
He urged the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He also urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State.
While empathising with the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased officers, the Commissioner of Police reiterated in strong terms that the Command under his watch would not condone any form of attack on security personnel in the State. He assured them that the Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators of the dastardly act were all arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
