There is tension in Omuma town in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State following a gun battle between unknown gunmen and police.
The gun duel saw the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omuma Police Division, Fatmann Dooiyor, a Chief Superintendent of Police killed.
The attack on Monday night at the hometown of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, also saw six of the bandits killed.
Police recovered no less than three vehicles and arrested 11 suspects following the repelled attack.
The development was confirmed by the state police spokesperson, Micheal Abattam.
He said: “On July 26, at about 16:20 hours, armed bandits in a convoy of three vehicles were repelled in Omuma Town in Oru East LGA of Imo State.
”According to the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Abang of Omuma Area Command, who stated that, based on information received that bandits were sighted moving in convoy into Omuma Town, he immediately alerted the ever-active tactical teams of the command who swung into action, ambushed and launched a surprising attack on the convoy of the bandits which resulted to the neutralisation of six of the bandits while eleven of them were arrested to the station.
“Unfortunately, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor paid the supreme price. The teams later recovered the three vehicles abandoned by the bandits to the station which includes, two Toyota Highlander SUV vehicles with registration numbers Abia MBL 517 AT and LAGOS , JJJ 984 EL respectively and a milk colour unregistered Lexus Jeep to the station.
“Presently, the command’s tactical teams and Special forces led by ACP Evans E.Shem are combing the bush for possible arrest of the bandits that fled into the bush.”
Abattam added that the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, had cautioned that bandits should avoid Imo State or face dire consequences.
Omuma has suffered many bandits attacks in recent times. No fewer than seven security operatives had been killed in the area following bandits invasion of police formation and razing of the governor’s hometown residence.