Facts have emerged on how five Joint Task Force (JTF) personnel were killed on Tuesday in Ehime Mbano area of Imo State.

The Command’s Spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday that the men were tricked and killed when they fell into an ambush.

According to him, the JTF team comprised two NDLEA personnel, one Civil Defence officer, one Police officer and an Air Force Officer.

Okoye said the deceased operatives were responding to a decoy distress call at Oriagu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area on Tuesday, when they were attacked and killed.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, with Gov. Hope Uzodimma and the heads of the some security agencies in the state had visited the scene of crime for on-the-spot assessment of the incident.

He explained that the confidence building patrol carried out by the governor and security chiefs to the scene was aimed at assuring Imo residents, particularly those living in Ehime Mbano, of their maximum safety.

“CP Barde extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased officers and prays that the Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear the sudden and irreplaceable loss.

“The Commissioner of Police appreciates the concerns of the general public and vows that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The CP reiterates the command’s commitment in collaborating with other sister security agencies in providing adequate security for all and sundry in Imo State,” he stated.

Okoye urged members of the public to report suspicious persons or clandestine activities observed within their vicinity via the emergency lines – 08034773600 or 08098880197. (Adapted from a NAN report)