Police warn hospitals, two cops, 12 others killed in Abia, Imo

Gunmen on Saturday night torched the Izombe Police Division in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The latest attack came just 24 hours after fleeing hoodlums razed a police station, magistrate and high courts and vandalised a health centre in Atta community, in the Njaba LGA of the state.

It was gathered that the bandits met strong resistance in Izombe, leading to a gun duel.

Though they succeeded in setting the station ablaze, four of the invaders were killed, according to the state police spokesperson, Bala Elkana.

Elkana, in a statement, said, “On May 29, 2021 between 7pm and 10pm, some hoodlums in their numbers launched an offensive on the Izombe Police Station, but were repelled by the gallant policemen on duty. Four hoodlums were neutralised during the attack, while others escaped with bullet wounds.

“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, commended the men for their abiding faith in defence of public space and urged them to be resilient in this fight until the enemies of the people are totally defeated.”

In a related development, the Abia State Police Command has confirmed that eight suspected hoodlums were shot dead during an attack on the State Criminal Investigation Department on Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, who spoke to journalists, added that two policemen died during a gun battle with the hoodlums.

He noted that one Sienna vehicle and a Toyota Camry were recovered from the suspects, while some of the hoodlums fled with bullet wounds.

Ogbonna said the hoodlums threw explosives from the back of the CID building, razing the facility and some exhibit vehicles on the premises.

He asked medical facilities in the state to report anyone who approached them for bullet wound treatment.