By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
No fewer than six persons including four police officers and two civilians were shot dead by unknown gunmen along Hilltop Road in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.
A reliable source from the area said said that the massacre of the four police officers and two civilians occured close to a gas station, Ebyia Bridge along Hilltop Road.
While reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, SP Joshua Ukandu who confirmed the sudden attack, explained that it occured around 5:00am, when unidentified hoodlums launched attack on police operatives who were posted to duty at Hilltop stop and search/pin-down point along Nwofe Road, at the outskirts of Abakaliki, where armed hoodlums killed four officers and two civilians, while exchanging gunfire.
`Today 08/03/2024 at about 05:00am, operatives of the command who were posted to duty at Hilltop stop and search/pin-down point along Nwofe Road, at the outskirts of Abakaliki, were attacked by armed hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ESN members, who shot sporadically at the operatives.
`The operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, and in the ensuing gun battle, the hoodlums scampered and abandoned a pump action rifle which was recovered. However, four (4) of the operatives paid the supreme price, while two (2) civilians were caught in the crossfire and killed.
The Commissioner Of Police in Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, swiftly dispatched tactical teams of the command to the scene, who are on the trail of the fleeing hoodlums.
She also used the medium to call on the citizens of the state to provide the command with valuable information that could help apprehend the fleeing hoodlums and assured that the command remains steadfastly dedicated to safeguarding lives and property in the state.
It would be recalled that few months ago, some police officers on patrol were recently attacked and killed by unknown gunmen on the same spot.
