The Nkporo Divisional Police Headquarters in the Ohafia municipal government area of Abia state was attacked by gunmen on Monday. The gunmen allegedly carried away weapons from the police station. According to The Punch, the gunmen stormed a police station with his three Toyota Sienna cars. They attacked police officers on duty and also broke into the station’s armoury. Furthermore, they stole one AK-47 riffle with 30 rounds of live ammunition.
The Suspects were said to have taken off with two riot gunners and the amount of ammunition is still to be determined.
Police officers who sustained injuries of varying severity during the break-in were found to have been taken to nearby hospitals where they were treated.
State Police spokesman Jeffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident. He said at a press conference on Tuesday that the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately as they attacked the police station.
He explained that the suspect broke into the police station and stole weapons after dislodging the policemen on duty. However, the command has launched a manhunt to find the suspects behind the attack.
Ogbonna said;
“The criminals broke into the station’s armoury and carted away one AK 47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, two riot gunners and yet-to-be ascertained quantity of ammunition.
“They also made away with sets of service uniforms kept in the armoury and offices belonging to the armourer and other police officers in the station. Three police constables among those on duty sustained varying degrees of injury.”
According to Ogbonna, the collaborative effort of the police and the military resulted in the recovery of one abandoned Toyota Sienna vehicle with some service uniforms, shoes and personal effects.
He said two of the injured policemen were still receiving treatment in the hospital. Although, one of the injured policemen has been treated and discharged.
The police spokesman said an investigation has commenced with a view to recovering the stolen arms and ammunition. They also intend to apprehend the culprits. The state Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Bala, visited the police station for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
He added, “The state Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Bala, during a visit to the scene, accompanied by the DC Operations, DCP E.S Bretet, and later joined by the Chairman, Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief James Ndukwe, remarked that the porosity of the station made it possible for the hoodlums to invade the premises.
“Bala called on the state, local government and other critical stakeholders to embrace the principles of community safety partnership to erect fences that will link up with the existing one around the station.
“Furthermore, the CP requests from the general public, useful information that would help in tracking down the hoodlums and recovery of the firearms.”
