Gunmen has launched a deadly ambush on a police patrol team in Imo State killing a police constable and reportedly abducting an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The attack occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday July 6th near Finas Gas Station along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, close to the Old Gariki area in Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”
“During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was shot dead, and his service rifle was taken by the attackers,” a source familiar with the incident revealed. “ASP Casmir, who led the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, and fears are growing that he may have been abducted and killed.”
The source added: “One PC, Oluebube, was killed in action, and his smoke gunner carted away. ASP Casmir and his AK-47 rifle are missing. Other members of his team have returned to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical care.”
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, July 7, and stated that a manhunt is underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
Spokesman for the Command, Henry Okoye, said the attackers are believed to have links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), citing early investigative leads.
“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said.
“We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”
