By Uche Mbah
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed a bloody attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters, Mgbidi, by gunmen. The attack had one fatality – a Police Inspector. One other Policeman, also, sustained injuries.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Command, and signed by the Spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police, Michael Abattam, the gunmen invaded the Division in the early hours of Friday, January 14, 2022. Abattam said they came in a white hilux, and even though they were repelled after a serious exchange of gunfire with the Police, a Police Inspector paid the supreme price.
There was no fatality on the side of the gunmen who escaped in their vehicle, but Abattam said they sustained injuries before escaping. He said a manhunt has started vigorously, and appealed for any information that could lead to their arrest.
Following is Abattam’s statement on the sad incident:
“Sequel to the modified and invigorated strategies emplaced by the Command under the watch of the indefatigable Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini psc, to checkmate all criminal activities within the State;especially, attacks on Police Stations, on the 14th January 2022, at about 2045 hours, the Command’s Tactical teams at Mgbidi Police Station repelled an attack by some hoodlums who came in a white Hilux vehicle shooting sporadically, and attempted to gain entrance into the station but were repelled by the ever gallant Imo Command’s Tactical teams and the Police operatives of the Division who positioned themselves professionally.
“They engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. In the process, the attackers were suppressed almost immediately, having suffered a huge defeat, with a number of them sustaining various degrees of bullet wounds, they retreated and escaped in the Toyota Hilux vehicle they came with. And were given a hot chase by the Police operatives.
“Consequently, a vigorous and aggressive manhunt of the hoodlums is ongoing with the sole aim of tracking and arresting the fleeing hoodlums since they cannot go far because of the huge damage done to them.
“However, in the course of the attack, a police Inspector lost his life, while another sustained a minor bullet injury on his hand.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP Rabiu Hussaini psc, commended the officers and men for their gallantry and urged them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“He then appealed to Imolites for the continuous support and collaboration by giving security agencies especially the Police, credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community to the nearest police station for prompt action.”
For months, a number of Police facilities in Imo have come under the attack of hoodlums.
