Gunmen, on Saturday, May 20, ambushed and killed two policemen at Okpala Junction in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

The attack came one month after five policemen and a couple were killed at the same junction on April 21.

On March 27, gunmen ambushed and killed five personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the same Ngor-Okpala LGA.

An eyewitness of Saturday’s murder disclosed that businesses in the community quickly shut down as everyone scampered for safety.

Confirming the incident, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, has ordered a manhunt for the assailants.

Okoye said: “It was an ambush; two of our personnel gallantly paid the supreme price while one, shot on the leg is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

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“They were ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

“In a protracted gun duel that ensued, the hoodlums escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”

He added that one of the operational vehicles used by the hoodlums was recovered from the gunmen.

“The vehicle was riddled with gunshots and was smeared with blood.

“This evidently suggests that our operatives actually gave the hoodlums a fierce battle.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a manhunt for the assailants with a view to arresting them and bringing them to face the full wrath of the law.

“We are assuring members of the public that sooner than expected, the perpetrators of the dastardly act will be arrested and brought to book,” Okoye stressed.

The police spokesperson further urged the people of the affected community to go about their lawful activities, noting that normalcy had returned to the area.

“We have equally sent another patrol team to the place to restore security confidence,” he added.

The Star