Two Police officers have been confirmed dead in the alleged attack by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, according to to the Police command in Anambra.
However, eyewitness claim that the culprits were cult members.
The attack took place at Oraifite in Ekwusigo council area of the state.
A statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Mr. Haruna Mohammed in Awka on Monday, read in part: “On the 2/12/2019 at about 11:30 am, there was a formal complaint against one Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a member of the proscribed IPOB in Oraifite on alleged case of abduction, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property.
“Following the report, police patrol teams, led by the Area Commander, Oraifite, Mr. Oliver Abbey, mobilised and rushed to the scene in order to arrest the suspect, who declined police invitation.
“However, as soon as police arrived at the house, armed men, suspected to be IPOB members, descended on the police, set ablaze one patrol vehicle and attacked them with rifles and machetes.
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“Consequently, the command deployed reinforcements from the state headquarters, comprising PMF, Special Anti-Robbery Squad and Special Anti-Cult Units, in conjunction with the army and other sister agencies.
“The area has been cordoned-off in order to fish out the culprits, while joint patrol are still ongoing in the town to prevent further breakdown of law and order.”
Mohammed stated that two police officers, whose identities were being withheld, were killed by the IPOB members, while others received machete cuts.
According to him, the injured operatives were taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The Police spokesman further stated that some arrests have been made and that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abang, had visited the scene.
He assured that the perpetrators of the act would be brought to justice.
