Gunmen shot and killed three policemen at the Ebonyi-Enugu boundary.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The unceasing tide in insecurity in the country went higher on Saturday night when gunmen shot dead three policemen at the Ebonyi-Enugu boundary.
The incident, which occurred at the border checkpoint along the Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway, was said to have been perpetrated by hoodlums, who, it was gathered, operated in two Sienna buses.
Another policeman who was shot in the leg is said to be receiving treatment at a hospital in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Sunday, confirmed the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu, said, “The attack by gunmen at Ebonyi/Enugu boundary took place at about 18:08hrs.
“Three police personnel of Operation Safer Highway were fatally injured and later confirmed dead.
“The hoodlums operated in two sienna vehicles, drove into the checkpoint, and opened fire on the policemen.”
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Saturday’s attack is the latest in the series of deadly attacks on the police and other security agencies in the South east.
Gunmen have been unleashing terror in Ebonyi and other South-eastern states in recent years, attacking civilians, security operatives and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Last December, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Abakaliki, killing a police officer. The gunmen stormed the checkpoint on a motorcycle on 5 December 2022 and opened fire on the police operatives.
Earlier in November, pandemonium broke out in Anambra State following gunmen attack on a police checkpoint located along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Ihiala
The attackers, who allegedly came from the neighbouring Mgbidi local government area of Imo State, opened fire on the policemen on duty, who took to their heels.
In the midst of the confusion, commuters traveling to Owerri from Onitsha and Onitsha to Imo State had to make u- turn.
The development caused traffic gridlock in the area as the commuters packed their vehicles at the nearby Nkwo Ogbe market, Ihiala and at the Mgbidi end in Imo State.
Workers at the Anambra -owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University who were on their way to office had to abandon their work for the day as they headed back home.
Residents of the area also had to run into a nearby bush for safety, while authorities of the nearby Abbott Boys Secondary School, Ihiala directed the students to leave school premises immediately.