Imo State, in Southeast Nigeria, witnessed a deadly attack on Tuesday, June 11th, as unknown gunmen ambushed a police checkpoint in Akabo, Ikeduru County (Local Government Area). The assault resulted in the loss of two police officers and a civilian.
Eyewitnesses reported heavily armed gunmen arriving in a vehicle and targeting the officers stationed at the checkpoint around 6:00 a.m. local time. The unsuspecting officers were caught off guard, leading to a brutal exchange of gunfire. Tragically, two officers lost their lives in the attack.
The violence spilled beyond the immediate vicinity of the checkpoint. According to reports, a civilian pedestrian also was shot by the gunmen. It is unclear if they were specifically targeted or simply caught in the crossfire.
Imo State police authorities have confirmed the incident and are actively investigating to capture the evading assailants, suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The IPOB and ESN are usually fingered in such attacks in the Southeast region.
This attack is yet another grim reminder of the ongoing violence plaguing Imo State. The State has seen a disturbing rise in targeted killings, kidnappings, and assaults on security forces. Efforts to quell the violence continue, but the situation remains tense.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
