Police Station in Abia Attacked by Gunmen

Thursday, 23 February 2023, 4:42 pm

Gunmen on Thursday, February 23, invaded and burnt the Ugwunagbo Police Divisional Headquarters in Ihie, Abia State.

It was gathered that the two police officers who were on duty at the time of the attack were overpowered by the gunmen who later set the premises ablaze. It was further learnt the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who was also the target of the gunmen, escaped death as he was reportedly not in his quarters during the attack. Unconfirmed reports claim the gunmen freed some suspects and carted away rifles at the station. Sources in the area, who confirmed the attack on the police station, said the hoodlums may have considered the police station as a soft target knowing the strength of the men on the ground. The spokesperson of the command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the attack said one of the police officers on duty who was injured, is receiving medical attention in a hospital where he is on admission. “Around 3 am, armed hoodlums numbering about 30 besieged the Ugwunagbo Police Divisional Headquarters situated at Ihie and engaged the policemen on duty in a shootout during which they were able to gain access into the premises where they set the station ablaze,” the PPRO stated. “They also vandalised the DPO’s office which is detached from the police station building. They also set ablaze two patrol vehicles some riffles that were inside the armoury and shot and gave a machete cut on the head of a police constable, who was one of the police officers on duty. “The police officer is admitted to a hospital where he is receiving medical attention. There is no information about the release of suspects but if there were suspects, they will definitely be let loose by the hoodlums. We have launched an investigation into the matter to unravel those behind the dastardly act. We urge people who have information to come forward with it.” he added.

The Ugwunagbo Police Divisional Headquarters in Ihie, Abia State, was invaded and set on fire by gunmen on February 23. Two police officers who were on duty were overpowered by the gunmen who then set the premises ablaze. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who was the target of the attack, escaped death as he was not present in his quarters during the incident. According to unverified reports, the gunmen may have released some suspects and taken away rifles from the station. Sources in the area suggested that the hoodlums saw the police station as an easy target given the small number of officers on the ground. The spokesperson of the command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the attack and revealed that one of the police officers who was injured is receiving medical treatment in a hospital. About 30 armed hoodlums participated in the shootout with the policemen on duty. They were able to gain entry into the premises, vandalized the DPO’s office and set ablaze two patrol vehicles and rifles that were in the armoury. The police constable who was on duty was shot and macheted on the head, but he is now receiving medical attention in a hospital. The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward