Two policemen have been killed by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Oraifite in Ekwusigo council area of Anambra State.
Police in Anambra confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
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IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had raised alarm that the police and army invaded his lawyer’s house, killing three IPOB members.
However, Anambra police spokesman, Haruna Mohammed, said the police received a complaint of abduction, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property against the lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, prompting officers to invade his residence.
“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,” he said.
Mr Mohammed added that two police officers, whose identities were being withheld, were killed by the IPOB members, while others were harmed with machetes.
He said that the injured operatives were taken to a hospital for medical attention.
“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.
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“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 added.
He further said that some arrests were made and that the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, visited the scene and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
