By JEFF AMECHI AGBODO, Abakaliki
A police Corporal was shot dead while a constable sustained injuries yesterday, when gunmen attacked them along New Market Road in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The policemen, were said to be on patrol when some hoodlums operating in a Toyota Camry car opened fire on them killing the corporal and injuring the constable before making away with their arms and ammunition.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)in the state, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, who confirmed the incident, described the attack as unfortunate, saying the hoodlums were after the policemen’s weapons.
“On a very sad note we got a report on the shooting of two of our men from ‘C’ Division of Ekumenyi by gunmen at Hausa area along New Market Road in Abakaliki.
“What we learnt was that the patrol team in charge of that area was on duty that night and two of the policemen were sent to go and buy water to drink.
“On their way back to join others, they saw a Camry car coming towards them and stepped aside to allow the vehicle to pass, without knowing that they were gunmen. They opened fire on the two policemen. The Corporal, who was carrying a rifle fell and died instantly and they collected his arms and ammunition.
“The constable was shot on the side of his face and he was able to maneuvre and jump into the gutter and ran back to the team. The officer shot is currently receiving treatment in a hospital,” he narrated.
The police spokesman said the gunmen escaped with their victims’ arms and ammunition before the police patrol team arrived in the scene.
His words: “In a nutshell, it is obvious that the criminals were out to mop-up arms for whatever reasons.”
Some people are speculating that it was for election purposes because 2015 is around the corner. I will not say that is the reason but it is very obvious the reason for the attack was to get the arms.”
On efforts to checkmate crime in the state, the PPRO said that the command had gone back to the drawing board to re-strategise, noting that the entire management team led by the Commissioner of Polic, Maigari Dikko went to the field to survey the metropolis, on how best to secure the state.
