The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) and its militia wing, the Eastern Security Network ( ESN ), have been accused of attacking the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State.
The Imo State Police Command said that the gang attacked the station with petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
The police spokesman said they invaded the station through a forest behind the station.
It was learnt that police operatives and some of the Command’s Technical Teams confronted the gunmen in a fierce gun battle and prevented them from gaining entrance to the main headquarters of the division.
Imo State Police Command, Spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam, stated in Owerri in a statement on Monday, that the assailants approached the station from the near by bush close to the station.
According to him, the gunmen threw petrol bombs and Improvised explosive devices that fell on the transit camp behind the station and on parked vehicles.
He said the police operatives and some of the Command’s Technical Teams responded swiftly in a fierce gun duel by preventing them from gaining entrance to the station.
He explained further that the police operatives went after the fleeing gunmen, who dashed into the forest, prompting the police officers on duty to go after them.
He stated that the police were combing the bush, while the items recovered on the spot are three undetonated explosives, four expended AK 47 RIFLES ammunition and five live cartridges
Also seized from them are thirty- three expended cartridges, two mask, one pump action gun and a motor saw machine as the assilants abandoned the weapons.
“In the process, they forced the hoodlums into retreating into the forest with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Also recovered were 33 expended cartridges, two masks, one pump action gun and a motorised sawing machine,’’ Abattam stated.
The spokesman said no life was lost in the attack adding that there was a minimal damage to the transit camp and some vehicles which were touched.
Abattam stated also that one police operative sustained minor gunshot wound and had been treated.
Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Maman Giwa, has visited the scene and commended the officers and men for repelling the attack.
The Imo Police boss, urged Imo residents to continue to provide the police with the timely and credible information about criminals and their activities.
Giwa pleaded with the people to report any person seen treating bullet wounds within the community to the nearest police station.
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