The Imo State Police Command says it has neutralised the killers a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, and recovered ammunition and vehicles from them.
Gulak was killed around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Sam Mbakwe Airport road in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday morning.
A statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Bala Elkana said the Police Special Forces made up of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Tactical Units were involved in the killing of the gunmen.
He noted that some of the arms recovered from the attackers included three AK 47 rifles, one pistol, five AK 47 magazines with 92 rounds of live ammunition.
According to the statement, “Eyewitness account, especially the account given by the driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack.
“The assailants were said to have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).
“Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken. With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of the suspects.
“The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums were met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.”
It explained that on sighting the police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams.
“The gallant and battle-ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire. The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured,” the security agency added. “Three out of the four vehicles used in attacking Gulak were recovered.”
Elkana disclosed that the assailants were identified as members of the proscribed IPOB and ESN, adding that the driver who drove late Ahmed Gulak and a co-victim who survived have all identified the dead body of the IPOB/ESN members positively as their attackers and also identified the three vehicles recovered as those used by the attackers.
“During the encounter, two of the police armored personnel carriers (APC) were riddled with bullets but survived the gun battle.
“The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc commended the gallant effort of the team and admonished them to continue to protect the public space,” he said.
