Operatives of Imo State Police Command have foiled an attempt by suspected hoodlums to invade and, possibly, torch the palace of the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Emma Okeke, in Amaifeke, Orlu ancient kingdom.

The attack was made known through a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), yesterday.

According to the statement, members of some vigilante groups were wounded in the process of repelling the attackers, while some of them escaped with bullet wounds. Okoye urged the public to report any one observed with suspected bullet wounds to the nearest police station for possible arrest.

The statement stated: “Police operatives of Orlu Divisional Headquarters, in a joint operation with local vigilantes of Amaifeke ancient Kingdom, Orlu, on Tuesday, at about 2:15 p.m., foiled an attempt to invade the palace of the Chairman, Council of Imo State Traditional Rulers, Eze E.C. Okeke, who is the traditional ruler of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom, by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militia, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The criminals, who came in their numbers shooting sporadically and fighting their way into the palace, were given a stiff resistance by police operatives and local vigilantes, who professionally took vintage positions and engage the hoodlums in a protracted gun duel, forcing them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”

On those who sustained injuries, the statement hinted: “Two local vigilantes, whose names are withheld for security reasons, were fatally injured in the ensuing gun duel and immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, one of them died while receiving treatment, while the other is in stable condition. On combing the adjourning bushes, blood stains were seen, which evidentially suggested that the hoodlums were fatally hit.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, calls on the people of Amaifeke Kingdom to go about their lawful business, as adequate security measures have been put in place to forestall future occurrences. An intensive manhunt for the assailants is ongoing. They will be apprehended and prosecuted.” (The Guardian)