Police foil gunmen ∆mbush in Enugu, arrest 13 suspects

Police foil gunmen ambush in Enugu, arrest 13 suspects

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested thirteen male suspects after gunmen ambushed officers in Akpakume community, Udi Local Government Area, during a raid on suspected cultists and illegal firearm holders.

The incident happened in the early hours of 3 November when officers deployed to arrest suspects linked to conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism came under sudden gunfire from the hoodlums. The ambush left some operatives injured and also caused damage to police and civilian vehicles in the area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the officers were able to repel the attack.

In his words, “The operatives swiftly responded with superior firepower, forcing many of the criminal elements to flee with varying degrees of severe gunshot injuries. The suspects’ gunfire also shattered the light of the police operational vehicle and damaged other vehicles in the area.”

One locally made single-barrelled gun was recovered, while several of the fleeing assailants are still being trailed.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, on Tuesday visited Akpakume for an on-the-spot assessment alongside senior officers of the Command.

Police authorities said the attackers did not only engage security operatives, but had earlier destroyed parts of the community.

“It was observed that the hoodlums had wilfully destroyed houses, shops, and other properties, including crops and livestock belonging to members of the community,” the Command noted, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the attack is linked to an ongoing intra-communal crisis.

CP Giwa urged residents not to panic, assuring them that the police are fully committed to restoring normalcy.

“I call on law-abiding residents to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses. The operatives have been charged to intensify the ongoing manhunt for the fleeing assailants, and the Command will stop at nothing to ensure that all those involved in the attack and other related criminal activities are brought to justice,” he said.

The Police Command also appealed for useful information from members of the public, especially regarding any individuals seen with gunshot wounds or those suspected to be among the fleeing gang.

The arrested suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.