Gunmen on Thursday night attacked a police checkpoint around the Police College area along Agbani Road, Enugu, killing police officers and setting an operational vehicle ablaze, triggering panic among residents of the area.

Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred at about 8:42 p.m., when the assailants arrived in a coordinated manner and opened sustained gunfire on officers manning the checkpoint.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that at least four policemen were killed during the attack.

“The shooting was intense and lasted for several minutes. Afterward, their vehicle and other items were burning. People were afraid to come out,” the source said, adding that residents fled the area for safety amid the sporadic gunfire.

However, the Enugu State Police Command, in an official statement issued on Friday, confirmed the death of two police officers.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the attack targeted a Police Distress Response Squad (DRS) team along Agbani Road on the night of January 15, 2026.

“The criminal elements suddenly opened fire on the police team without provocation. The operatives responded promptly, forcing the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement said.

The police disclosed that during the exchange of gunfire, the team’s operational vehicle caught fire, while two officers sustained severe gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Giwa, described the attackers as suspected IPOB/ESN subversive criminal elements and ordered an intensified manhunt to track down the fleeing suspects.

“He charged tactical and intelligence operatives to deploy all available resources and leverage actionable intelligence to sustain the established trail and ensure that the assailants are arrested and brought to justice,” the statement added.

Police further revealed that a Lexus 330 Jeep earlier snatched from its owner and used by the attackers was recovered after the incident, with multiple bullet holes from the gun battle.

Giwa appealed to members of the public with credible information to assist security agencies, assuring residents that the Command “remains resolute and committed to ensuring that violent criminal elements do not evade justice.” (The Sun)