Four Police Officers, Three Suspected IPOB Memebers Killed In Another Attack On Police Station

At least four policemen and three gunmen were on Monday killed while one police patrol and three exhibit vehicles were set ablaze in exchanges of fire in Awada Police Station, Anambra State.

The gunmen were said to have killed the cops during the attempt to set the station ablaze but were repealed by the police after an exchange of fire.

A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said: “It was terrible last night for people living close to Awada police station, it’s as if war has come close to us.

“This morning, unknown gunmen invaded the station, set some part of the station on fire and killed three policemen which included DPO Isiowulu police station, a newly recruited constable and one inspector.

“With the help of the military men that surfaced, Police were able to kill three of the gunmen and caught two red-handed.”

A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, says operatives attached to the state police command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army in a gun duel.

He said three of the assailants were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.

“Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 am, gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North LGA of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.

“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.

“Other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with reg no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen properties, charms and other incriminating items.

“During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended.

“Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants.’’