By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), on Thursday, launched a deadly attack on a police team on investigative duty at a fuel station in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Zagazola understands that the incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. at Umueze Junction, O.C Paul Fuel Station, where the officers had accompanied a complainant to follow up on an investigation.

According to sources, two motorcycles carrying armed men stormed the fuel station and opened fire on a black Lexus RX 330 vehicle conveying the officers and the complainant.

The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO 1), DSP Ndubisi Achazie, narrowly escaped the ambush, but Inspector Okechukwu Ezema sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, where he was confirmed dead.

The complainant, died on the spot, and his body was deposited at Zander Mortuary, Mbaitoli.

The attackers also made away with the Lexus vehicle used by the victims, though no police firearm was reported missing.

A joint security operation involving the military, tactical police teams, local vigilantes, and hunters has been launched to track down the fleeing assailants.

The police have described the act as terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to hunting down IPOB/ESN cells responsible for the attack. (Zagazola)