Gunmen kill Policeman on Escort duty, injure others in Owerri

DDM NEWS

Gunmen

A tragic incident occurred on Saturday when suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), ambushed the convoy of Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri.

The attack resulted in the death of a security escort and left three others injured.

The ambush occurred around 4 pm on the Okigwe-Owerri Road, near Umuhu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

One security personnel was killed, and three others were injured in the attack. Dr. Achigbu and his family were unharmed.

The attackers were suspected to be members of IPOB and ESN, who have been known to be active in the region.

The Imo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident and is working to apprehend the perpetrators.

The attack has been widely condemned by various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, and community leaders.

The police have increased security patrols in the area and are working to prevent further attacks.

IPOB is a secessionist group that has been agitating for the creation of an independent state of Biafra.

The group has been proscribed by the Nigerian government due to its violent activities.

ESN is the armed wing of IPOB, which has been responsible for several attacks on security personnel and infrastructure in the region.

This incident is part of a larger pattern of violence and attacks attributed to IPOB and ESN in the South-East region

. The groups have been known to target security personnel, infrastructure, and individuals who they perceive as opposing their agenda.

The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety of citizens.

Sources told DDM News that the attack occurred at about 2:10 p.m. along the Okigwe–Owerri highway near Oniumo River.

The convoy, which included two police officers Inspector Uwem Samuel and Inspector Obinna Egege was escorting the FMC Director, his wife, and daughter back to Owerri when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle, a Toyota Hilux belonging to FMC Owerri.

It was gathered that the Commissioner of Police in Imo, CP Aboki Danjuma, swiftly deployed tactical rescue teams in collaboration with troops from the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB), Okigwe, to the scene.

The injured officers were evacuated to FMC Owerri, where one of the escorts was confirmed dead, while the others were reported to be in stable condition.

There was no loss of arms or ammunition during the incident. The Director’s wife and daughter were unhurt, though the civilian driver of the vehicle remains missing.

Security operatives have launched a manhunt for the attackers and are combing the surrounding areas to locate the missing driver