TWO police officers were killed after an attack at a checkpoint in Enugu on Sunday.
Authorities say the officers serving in the Uwani Division were on a routine stop and search duty along Campus Gate Road by Kenyatta Market, Enugu when the incident occurred.
“Many of the hoodlums escaped with varying degrees of fatal gunshot injuries in the ensuing gun duel, while two of the operatives, who sustained severe gunshot injuries, were moved to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead and their corpses deposited in the mortuary for preservation,” a statement by the Enugu Police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe read.
Police say the gunmen, who operated in SUVs suddenly opened fire on the police officers, taking them unawares.
“Consequently, a manhunt of the assailants, which was immediately launched, resulted in the miscreants abandoning the black-coloured Mercedes Benz ML 350 4Matic Jeep they used for the operation along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Road, Enugu. The vehicle, riddled with gunshots and blood stains, has been recovered. The recovery of the vehicle and the signs thereof corroborates the preliminary investigation which suggests that at least two of the hoodlums were neutralised,” part of the statement also read.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, FDC, has ordered tactical/operational operatives of the Command to sustain the ongoing manhunt operation, warning that anything short of fishing out and bringing the assailants to book, to assuage the unfortunate loss of the two operatives, will not be accepted.”
