67 security agents killed in southeast, south-south in three months

No fewer than 67 security agents, comprising the police, Navy and prison wardens, have been killed by gunmen in the South East and South South since December last year. At least, 25 police stations were also burnt in the renewed orgy of violence that followed the #EndSARS protest across the nation last year.

Of this figure, 62 are policemen, four Naval personnel, while the other person was a prison warden killed while taking some suspects to court in Awka, Anambra, last month.

Vanguard investigation weekend revealed that eight policemen were killed in Abia State, while two police stations were razed by the gunmen from December till date; 15 were killed in Anambra State, while five police stations were also burnt by the gunmen who also made away with weapons of the police.

Similarly, it was gathered that five policemen were killed in Ebonyi State, while 10 police stations were razed; five police stations were also burnt in Imo State. Further investigation showed that seven policemen were killed in Edo State; 11 in Cross Rivers State; nine in Akwa Ibom State and 12 in Delta State. In Abia State, investigations showed that eight policemen lost their lives, while 2 police stations were razed in the attacks. Records show that from December 2020 till date, there had been over 10 attacks on security agents and stations across the state, with the attackers carting away arms and ammunition.

Three of the policemen were reportedly killed by unknown gunmen in Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area. The deceased policemen include Inspector Austin Ugwu, Inspector Longinus Ugochukwu and Constable Ama Ifeanyi, who were serving at Abiriba.

Their rifles were also taken away. On February 24, 2021, gunmen also attacked Abayi police station in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area where they killed a policeman, looted arms and ammunition and set the station ablaze. It was a similar situation at Omoba Divisional police headquarters in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, where hoodlums said to have operated with motorcycles, killed a policeman and looted the arms and ammunition stored in the armoury. Also, another police Inspector was killed at Uratta in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. The policeman’s name was simply given as Emma. In most of these attacks, exhibit vehicles were set on fire as policemen were overpowered by the gunmen who operated freely.

A source said the police inspector was riding on the motorcycle to Uratta police station when, on approaching Uratta Road by Chief Obi Street; he was attacked by three armed men. N1m bounty for informants Worried by the attacks, especially that of Abayi police station, Abia State government pledged N1 million for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the gunmen. The government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, also reduced the time of operation of tricycles from 7am to 7pm.

On the death of the three policemen at Abiriba, the Deputy Governor of the state, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, assured that the state government would deploy all necessary resources available to ensure the protection of the people and all law-abiding citizens. Being a group already declared an enemy of the state, security agencies’ accusing fingers were pointed at the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its Eastern Security Network, ESN. However, both have denied any involvement in the attacks. Vanguard