Suspected gunmen, on Sunday, attacked the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol team and killed a police Inspector and two civilians in Aba, the Abia state capital.
The police officers attached to the Abia State headquarters of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) situated within the Aba North premises, were in patrol when they were attacked around the Mosque road axis of the Aba South local government area of the state.
Our correspondent however gathered that the attackers caught the policemen off guard and engaged them in an open shout-out, killing two of them in the shootout.
Three civilians said to be coming back from Sunday service were reportedly caught in the shout-out and lost their lives.
The State Police Commissioner, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, has confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Public Relations Office (PRO) of the command, Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosing the death of one of its gallant officer Inspector identified as Shehu Oyibo.
The statement reads, “Today, July 21, 2024, at about 1128hrs, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Aba, Abia State Command, while on patrol along Ngwa Road by Mosque junction, Aba, were attacked by armed men assailants in an ash-colored Sienna vehicle. The armed men opened fire on the police personnel, and the operatives repelled the attack, preventing what could have been a deadlier outcome.
“However, during the exchange of gunfire, two of the assailants were neutralized, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.
“Unfortunately, a police officer, Inspector Shehu Oyibo, three civilians who were later identified as Chika Godliveth ‘m’, Onyenaturuchi Jonah ‘m’ 32 years old, from Item, in Bende L.G.A of Abia State, and Eniobong Godsgift Clement ‘f’, 18 years old, from Akwa Ibom State were killed by bullets from the assailants.
“Bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary, while investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.
“The public are assured to go about their lawful activities without fear, as officers have been deployed to strategic locations in the state to ensure the protection of life and property”
“Abians are also urged to report any suspicious movements or individuals with bullet injuries to the nearest police station,” the statement concluded.
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