Suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN militia on Wednesday launched a coordinated assault on joint police patrol teams along the Abatete–Eziowelle Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, injuring a police inspector and carting away two service rifles.
Akelicious gathered that the gunmen, heavily armed with general-purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles, operated using a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander — all with unverified registration numbers.
Dressed in full military and police uniforms, the attackers opened intense fire on officers from the Department of Operations (DOPS), State Headquarters, Awka, and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad. The patrol teams responded swiftly, engaging the militants in a fierce gun duel that forced the attackers to withdraw.
During the exchange, rounds fired by the assailants struck the Special Anti-Cultism Squad patrol bus, setting it ablaze, while the DOPS patrol pickup was riddled with bullets and damaged.
Security sources confirmed that Inspector Uduak Anthony of MOPOL 29 Awka, attached to the DOPS team, lost his Type 06 rifle (Breech No. 10967) loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition after it slipped from his grip as he took cover. The attackers escaped with the weapon.
While retreating, the militants reportedly commandeered a Mercedes-Benz SUV from a motorist, identified as Eze Tochukwu from Enugu State, and fled towards Umuoji.
At Umuoji, they encountered two police inspectors attached to former Anambra State Governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. The officers — Inspector Eniobong Roberts of 29 PMF Awka and Inspector Udezike Kingsley of DOPS — were travelling when the attackers double-crossed them and opened fire.
Inspector Udezike sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg while attempting to take cover, and his AK-47 rifle was seized by the militants. Inspector Roberts, however, returned fire, forcing the attackers to abandon the snatched Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was later recovered by police operatives.
The injured officer is currently receiving treatment at Crown Hospital, Nkpor, and is reportedly responding well.
A senior police officer told Akelicious that the Command’s tactical units have been fully activated and are “combing suspected hideouts, camps, and escape routes of the terrorists” with the aim of apprehending the assailants and recovering the stolen firearms.
