From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
The Nigeria Police and its sister security agencies in Ebonyi State, have killed three suspected gunmen and arrested five of them. The security agencies smashed the group when they invaded the group’s camp in a forest in Izzi Local Government Area of the state during a joint operation.
The acting Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He noted that security agencies carried out the joint operation on Thursday, following credible intelligence.
“The hoodlums on sighting the operatives opened fire on them. In the ensuing gun duel, three of them were neutralised, five were arrested while others escaped.
“Sienna vehicles snatched from different individuals and used by the hoodlums to perpetrate heinous crimes were recovered at the camp. Exhibits recovered at the den indicated that the gang is responsible for the recent attacks and killing of police officers within the state.
“Exhibits recovered in the course of the operation include: One AK47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, a police warrant card, an identity card, a portrait of an unidentified person, one Itel phone and one motorcycle,” Ukandu said.
The command PRO further said that the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, Augustina Ogbodo, has commended the officers involved in the operation for their gallantry, while assuring residents of the state that they will not relent in their fight against crime. Gunmen have since November last year, been terrorising Izzi and Ohaukwu local government areas of the state, killing security agents, residents of the two councils, and destroying properties.
Governor Francis Nwifuru has convened security council meetings, ordering security agencies to set up joint taskforce to confront the criminals and end the killings.