The Police has foiled an attempt by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to set ablaze the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident was said to have happened on Friday at about 0430 hours.
Police Public Relations Officer, Micheal Abattam, who disclosed this in a statement said the attempt was foiled by the Command’s Tactical Team.
He stated that the suspected IPOB members shot sporadically fighting their way into the office before being countered by police operatives who positioned themselves strategically and professionally.
The statement further said the police engaged the hoodlums who came in their numbers to the INEC office in a gun duel and in the process they were suppressed, having suffered a huge defeat, with a number of them sustaining various degrees of bullet wounds.
Police said the hoodlums retreated into their vehicles and zoomed off but were given a hot chase by the operatives.
The statement reads,
“In the cause of the foiled attack, no life was lost and no arms/ammunition was carted away.
“The INEC main building was not affected by the explosives, only minor damage was done on the security post caused by the fire from the explosives which were put off immediately by the police operatives.
“Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing and efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects since they cannot go far because of the volume of blood stains that were seen on the ground after their escape.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde commended the officers and men for their gallantry and urged them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
