Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have killed a police officer and set a police station ablaze at Umulogho in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at NEPA Junction on the Owerri-Umuahia Road in Umulogho at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Speaking on the attack on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, a resident of the area disclosed that the gunmen, who operated unchallenged, returned on Wednesday morning to burn down a section of the Divisional Police Station in the community.

Another resident further disclosed that it took several hours before military personnel responded to the distress call made by the residents.

The resident, who declined to be named, said: “Imo State Police Command and the state government need to step up the fight against insecurity in the state, especially in the rural areas.

“It is confusing how there are three different police formations domiciled in one police division, namely the Area Command, Isiweke Police Station and Obowo Police Division, yet the hoodlums were not challenged.

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“It is even more worrisome that the police couldn’t respond because they claimed they did not have any operational vehicle.

“This is disheartening. It portends danger for residents that there is no security in the area,” the source said.

Another resident also called on the Imo State Government to establish and equip vigilance groups in every community to support the police in the fight against crimes.

The incident was confirmed by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye.

Okoye said the command had deployed a special unit to the area to smoke out the assailants.

The police spokesperson said: “We received the report and we have deployed our tactical unit to go all out to arrest those responsible for the act.

“The Commissioner of Police, together with other service chiefs, have visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

“We want to equally inspire a certain level of confidence in the officers and residents so they can go ahead with their duties and businesses without fear.”

The Star