Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Bitrus Giwa, has directed tactical and intelligence operatives of the state Command to intensify the ongoing manhunt for the gunmen who attacked a Police Distress Response Squad (DRS) team at Dapot Junction, by Police Detective College Enugu.
The gunmen attacked the police personnel around 8pm on Thursday and shot four of them while on duty.
In a statement by the police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, the criminal elements suddenly opened fire on the police team without provocation.
According to him, the operatives responded promptly, forcing the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“During the exchange of gunfire, the team’s operational vehicle caught fire, while two police officers sustained severe gunshot injuries.
“The injured officers were taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention but were later confirmed dead by the attending medical personnel,” Ndukwe said.
The spokesman said: “Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police charged the operatives to deploy all available resources and leverage actionable intelligence to sustain the established trail and ensure that the fleeing assailants are arrested and brought to justice.
“Meanwhile, the Lexus 330 Jeep earlier snatched from its owner by the hoodlums and used for the attack has been recovered by the operatives, bearing multiple bullet piercings from the gunfight.
“CP Giwa has further appealed to members of the public with credible information that could assist in the arrest of the suspects to promptly volunteer such information to the Police.
“He assured that the Command remains resolute and committed to ensuring that the subversive and violent criminal elements do not evade justice,” Ndukwe said.
