Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Three policemen were shot dead and another injured on Saturday night when gunmen attacked policemen at the border checkpoint along the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway.
The hoodlums who operated in a Sienna bus reportedly opened fire at the checkpoint killing three policemen on the spot.
Another policeman who was shot on the leg is said to be receiving treatment at a hospital in the Ebonyi State capital.
The incident took place Saturday night at the border checkpoint between Enugu and Ebonyi states.
Police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident.
He said the hoodlums operated in two Sienna buses.
“Yesterday’s attack by unknown gunmen at Ebonyi/Enugu boundary took place at about 1808hrs.
“Three Police personnel of Operation Safer Highway, fatally injured. Later confirmed dead”
“Hoodlums operated in two sienna vehicles, drove into the check-point, opened fire on the policemen,” he said.
Gunmen have been unleashing terror in Ebonyi and other South-Eastern states of recent, attacking security operatives and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Saturday’s attack is the latest in the series of deadly attacks on the police and other security agencies in the South-East.
Last December, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Abakaliki, killing a police officer.
The gunmen stormed the checkpoint on a motorcycle on December 5, 2022, and opened fire on the police operatives. The situation forced operatives to return the fire, which led to a shoot-out.
A week earlier, suspected arsonists set ablaze the INEC office in Iboko, a community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
The Federal Government has accused Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region.
But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.
The separatist group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-East and some parts of South-south Nigeria.
