CP leads operation to apprehend police assailants in Abia

Army re-opens road a week after check-point attack

The Abia State Police Command has said that its men, led by the Police Commissioner (CP), Danladi Isa, embarked on an operation along Asaga Road, in the Terry Key area, Ohafia, and its environs, in a bid to apprehend the hoodlums who ambushed and attacked police officers on patrol on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

The Command Public Relations Officer (PRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement.

She noted that one of the police officers, ASP Etet Uboulo, was killed during the attack, while the patrol team leader, ASP Etim Obungha, was rescued.

She added that Corporal Chukwu Odoemelam, who sustained a bullet injury, was rushed to the hospital and responding to treatment.

The incident occurred one week after the Army, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, lost two soldiers during an early morning attack by suspected unknown gunmen at a military check-point between Abia and Imo State, within Ekenobizi axis in Umuahia South Council.

According to the PRO, in the course of the operation led by the CP, some exhibits were recovered from the crime scene and an investigation is ongoing to track down the hoodlums.

MEANWHILE, the Umuahia-Owerri Road, through Umuokpara-Onuimo Ekenobizi communities, in Umuahia South Council, Abia State, was yesterday, reopened to the public, one week after closure, following the attack on the military check-point.

Special Adviser to Governor Alex Oti on Security  Matters, Navy  Commander MacDonald Ubah (rtd), while announcing the development to journalists, said that it was resolved that the military checkpoint be relocated closer to the Onuimo River for a clearer view.

Ubah spoke after conducting the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Major General H.T Dada, and his team, comprising the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya, the Commanding Officer, 145 Battalion, Umuahia, Major Martin Domkat, among other senior military officers, round the scene of the incident.

According to him, it was noted that the location of the attacked military checkpoint is a built-up area, making it difficult for the military to exercise freedom of movement to repel the attack.

He disclosed that the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Ibeakanma, and other community leaders, were in cooperation with the military to enable them to relocate because of the inconvenience the road closure has caused them and other users.