Soldiers of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks; 14 Brigade headquarters, Ohafia, attached to 144 Battalion, Ukwa West local government area of Abia State have repelled an attempted attack by gunmen on police and military checkpoints in the state.

The NATION reports the gunmen reportedly attacked some police officers on a stop-and-search operation near the popular Aro Ngwa axis of the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

It was learnt the quick response of soldiers from the 144 Battalion stopped the gunmen from setting the patrol van of the police team on fire.

It was further gathered soldiers at the Aro Ngwa junction, on receiving information on the attack of the police personnel, alerted their colleagues at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state for support.

Some of the commuters who witnessed the event described the gun battle as a near-war battle situation.

According to the commuters, the gun battle was fierce with many abandoning their vehicles to take safety in nearby bushes to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

Efforts to reach Abia Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Maureen Chinaka failed.

A source at the 14 Brigade, Ohafia who confirmed the rescue operation by the 144 Battalion personnel said the gunmen were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) apparently looking for weapons.

The source disclosed that the IPOB members who operated in a white Sienna Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) were overpowered by the superior weapons of the military personnel and ran into the bush.

The source however informed a soldier wounded in the shoot-out has been admitted for medical attention.

The source disclosed that the gunmen fled through the Owerrenta axis of Owerri-Aba Expressway on the heat of the gun duel. (The Nation)

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