Two suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) were gunned down in a duel with police operatives at Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The suspects emerged from the surrounding bushes and opened fire on policemen on patrol duty in the area, leading to the death of a police officer.

However, the police engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and killed two of them.

Confirming the incident on Friday, Imo Police Command spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam said the incident occurred on May 3 around 4.05pm.

“On 3/05/2022 at about 1605hrs, while policemen attached to Agwa Divisional Headquarters were conducting stop and search duty, armed bandits suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in their numbers emerged from the surrounding bushes shooting sporadically at the Policemen who swiftly took cover and responded, engaging them in a fierce gun duel,” he said.

He said that the command’s tactical teams stationed in the area rushed to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a fire fight.

He added that the police operatives tactically chased the hoodlums and in the process of combing the bush for possible recovery of their arms, arrested the fleeing suspects.

Further, he disclosed that during the attack, one of the police officer’s gallantly paid the supreme price while others were treated and discharged from the hospital for minor injuries they sustained.

“The corpses of the hoodlums were later deposited at Federal Medical Centre Mortuary while investigation is ongoing.

“Items recovered at the scene include two locally made double barrel guns with seven lives cartridges and ten (10) expended cartridges,” he said. (Courtesy, excluding headline, The Nation)