Three police officers have lost their lives following a deadly ambush by suspected operatives of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Mbanabo, located in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to security sources who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the attack occurred around 4:05 p.m. on the Old Agbo–Ogugu Road, where a heavily armed group opened fire on a patrol team from the Mbanabo Police Division.
The officers who died in the line of duty were identified as Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Edevie, Inspector James Uchechukwu, and Constable Thankgod Egbe.
The attackers reportedly made away with two AK-47 rifles and a riot gun belonging to the slain officers.
Eyewitness accounts further revealed that the police patrol vehicle was destroyed using an improvised explosive device (IED) before the attackers fled the scene.
The bodies of the deceased officers have been taken to a nearby mortuary, while efforts are ongoing to evacuate the wrecked patrol vehicle.
In response to the deadly ambush, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu has directed the immediate deployment of several tactical teams.
These include the Distress Response Squad, SWAT, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Units, as well as the Crack Monitoring Unit.
Nearby police divisions have also been placed on alert and instructed to begin a broad search for the culprits.
Additionally, the Army Garrison Commander and heads of other security agencies across Enugu have been informed and are collaborating to support the intensified security operation.
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