The Imo State Police Command has accused the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), of being behind the fatal shooting of two police officers and a civilian on Tuesday morning at Akabo in the Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State.
Henry Okoye, the State Police Public Relations Officer, revealed this in a statement to journalists in Owerri.
In response to the attack, the police command has deployed a Special Tactical Squad equipped with operational resources to track down the perpetrators.
The statement explained, “The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has deployed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad and equipped them with the necessary resources and intelligence to work with other security agencies to apprehend the hoodlums responsible for the unprovoked attack and killing of police officers conducting stop-and-search at Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State.”
The incident occurred early on June 11, 2024, when suspected ESN members attacked the police, resulting in the deaths of two officers and a civilian despite the officers’ efforts to defend themselves.
Following the attack, CP Aboki Danjuma and the Deputy Commissioner of Operations visited the crime scene.
A specialized investigation team has been set up to identify and capture those responsible.
The bodies of the deceased officers and the civilian have been moved to a mortuary.
The statement emphasized the daily risks police officers face in their commitment to protecting the community.
CP Danjuma expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised that all efforts would be made to bring the attackers to justice.
The police command has urged anyone with information that could aid in the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command’s emergency lines at 08034773600 or 08098880197.