Update: Officer Seriously Wounded As Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Police Station

The Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has released a statement on the attack on one of its facilities by unknown gunmen.

Confirming the early morning attack, the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, in a statement in Abakaliki on Sunday, said the gunmen attacked Unwana police divisional headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

The Police PRO said the unknown gunmen, numbering about 35 struck at about 3am on Sunday but were repelled by gallant officers.

Odah added that one of the invading gunmen was killed during the attack, others escaped with bullet wounds while the police also recovered two AK-47 rifles from the hoodlums.

Contrary to some earlier figures (quoting a resident who spoke anonymously) about casualties from the attack which said three police officers were killed , the Ebonyi Police Command in its statement didn’t mention the killing of any police operative.

The Police statement, however, said one police inspector was seriously wounded during the gun battle. It added that the operational vehicles are also intact.

The statement reads: “At 0300hrs of today, 24th October 2021, yet-to-be-identified gunmen numbering about 35 attacked Unwana Divisional Headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

“The attackers were shooting sporadically at the policemen on duty, who immediately repelled the attack.

“In the gun battle that ensued, one of the hoodlums was killed and two AK 47 rifles and other incriminating items were recovered.

“Other suspects escaped with bullet wounds. Regrettably, one police inspector attached to the division was seriously wounded. The police operational vehicles are intact.

“Investigation revealed that the deceased suspect had been on the police wanted list for various attacks on police stations.

“One of the recovered AK-47 rifles has been identified to be the rifle stolen from Ohaukwu Police Division early this month.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi, State Command, Mr Aliyu Garba, has embarked on on-the-spot assessment of the division and also ordered a manhunt on the fleeing hoodlums.

“The CP appeals to the law-abiding citizens of the state to promptly volunteer useful information to unravel the true identity of the fleeing gang members.”