There has been an attack of violent gunfire between men of the Imo State Police Command’s Tactical Teams as well as armed bandits that have been suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The gunfire that was exchanged caused the death of a police officer and two suspected criminals who were in Agwa, Oguta LGA of Imo State.
Michael Abattam, The Police Public Relationship Officer (PPRO), revealed this in a statement while stating that during the attack, and one of the police officer paid the supreme price. In contrast, others were treated as well as discharged from the hospital for petty injuries they received.
The police spokesperson, while describing the incident, stated that the corpses of the criminals were later deposited at Federal Medical Center Mortuary while further investigation is still in process.
As per the release, “ESN members in their numbers appeared from the surrounding bushes, firing sporadically at the policemen while executing stop and search duty. The officers who swiftly took cover and responded encountered them in a violent gun duel while they received for backup from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agwa.”
The police further said, “However, two locally made dual-barrel guns with seven live cartridges and ten expended cartridges were recovered at the location.”
The Police Commissioner, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while relaxing the family of the officer who died during the event, suggested that the officers and men not to concede in their efforts until all criminal elements are caught and made to face the full punishment of the law.
He then petitioned Imolites for their continued help and cooperation in providing the police and other security agents credible and timely data and to report any individual seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community to the nearest police station for immediate action.
