Imo Police Command’s tactical team has shot dead three suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) after a gun duel, which also claimed two police officers.
The gunbattle, which took place in Izombe town, Oguta Council Area, occurred when the suspects attacked the police station in the area.
A statement on Saturday by the Police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam, explained the armed bandits were killed in a gun exchange while they were attempting to attack Izombe Police station on August 13 at about 0245 hours.
He said the suspects could not gain access to the station due to the swift response of the Command’s Tactical teams and Personnel of Operation Restore Peace of the command who intercepted and repelled the bandits.
According to him, the bandits on sighting the police engaged them in a gun duel but were subdued due to the superior firepower of the police.
Unfortunately, he said two of the officers died in the battle.
“They fled into the bush and in the process three of the bandits were neutralised and their arms one pump action gun with two rounds of live cartridges and one locally made double barrel pistol with two expended cartridges were recovered from them to the station,” he said.
However, he said some of the suspects escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.
He said the police are in pursuit of the bandits and combing the bush for the arrest of the fleeing suspects and possible recovery of their arms .
Abattam called on Izombe community to assist the police with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing bandits and to report to the nearest police station any person(s) seen with bullet wounds.
He also advised hospitals to ensure that they report any person(s) who come to them for treatment of bullet wounds.
