Armed attackers executed a fatal assault on a police patrol unit in Imo State on Sunday, July 6, resulting in the death of a police constable and the alleged kidnapping of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The incident took place around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station on the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, near the Old Gariki area in Okigwe, which sources characterized as a “dangerous zone.”
“During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was shot dead, and his service rifle was taken by the attackers,” a source knowledgeable about the event disclosed. “ASP Casmir, who led the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, and fears are growing that he may have been abducted and killed.”
The source further noted: “One PC, Oluebube, was killed in action, and his smoke gunner carted away. ASP Casmir and his AK-47 rifle are missing. Other members of his team have returned to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical care.”
The Imo State Police Command verified the incident on Monday, July 7, and announced that a manhunt is in progress to capture the perpetrators.
Command spokesperson Henry Okoye stated that the attackers are suspected to have connections to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), based on initial investigative clues.
“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli