Gunmen numbering about 15 at the early hours of Monday attacked the facilities of the Abia State Police Command, killing one police Sergeant in the process and inflicting bullet wounds on some of them on duty.
However, the Police Command denied that any of its men, other than the one that was shot dead, received bullet wounds during the attack.
In his reaction to our enquiry, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Geoffrey Ogbonna who confirmed the attack in Umuahia, told our Reporter that the gunmen whom he said disguised in military camouflage and using gun truck at the early hours of Monday, opened fire at the policemen on pin down duty in front of 28 Police Mobile Force beside the State Command Headquarters, Bende Road Umuahia.
In a press statement he issued in Umuahia, Ogbonna, a Chief Superintendent of Police, revealed that the policemen who were on red alert returned firing which repelled the hoodlums from carrying out their dastardly intentions and quickly fled the scene with bullet injuries.
The statement which he sent to our Reporter reads: “It is quite unfortunate that on 13th December,2021 at about 0100 hours, gun men disguised in military camouflage and using gun truck opened fire at the policemen on pin down duty in front of 28 Police Mobile Force beside the State Command Headquarters, Bende road Umuahia.
“The Policemen who were on red alert returned firing which repelled the hoodlums from carrying out their dastardly intentions and quickly fled the scene with bullet injuries.
“Regrettably, one Inspector Friday Adama of 17 Police Mobile Force, Akure on Operation Restore Peace special duty in the Command lost his life during the gun duel.
“The Abia State Police Command therefore calls on Abians, residents, operators of medical facilities and the general public within and outside the state to volunteer information on anyone found or presented with bullet injuries to the police or other security agencies.
“Parents and guardians are also advised to warn their children and wards to refrain from evil acts before, during and after this festive period”.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
