Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), have killed three police officers in an ambush on a patrol team in Mbanabo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 4:05 p.m. along the Old Agbo?Ogugu Road when a large group of armed men opened fire on the patrol team from Mbanabo Division.

The sources said that the officers killed in the attack have been identified as DSP Godwin Edevie, Inspector James Uchechukwu, and Police Constable Thankgod Egbe. Their firearms two AK-47 rifles and one riot gun were reportedly carted away by the attackers.

The assailants also set the division?s patrol vehicle ablaze using an improvised explosive device (IED), police sources said.

The remains of the fallen officers have been deposited in a nearby mortuary, while arrangements are underway for the removal of the burnt vehicle from the scene.

The sources added that the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units including the Distress Response Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Anti-Kidnapping, Anti-Cultism, and Crack Monitoring Units. Neighbouring divisions have also been mobilised to conduct a sweeping search for the perpetrators.

In a coordinated effort, the Army Garrison Commander and heads of other security agencies in the state have been alerted to support the ongoing operation. (Zagazola: Text, Excluding Headline)

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