The officers, attached to the Enugu State Police Command’s Ogui Divisional Headquarters, were conducting a routine stop-and-search along Presidential Road in Enugu when they were attacked by armed assailants.
The incident, which occurred around 9:30 pm, sent shockwaves through the community, prompting swift action from government authorities.
Governor Peter Mbah, speaking on Saturday after a State Security Council meeting at the Government House in Enugu, expressed outrage over the senseless violence and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We must use everything necessary to hunt down, arrest, and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” Governor Mbah declared, announcing a N10 million bounty on the heads of the killers.
He assured the public that his administration would spare no effort in ensuring that the ultimate sacrifice made by the slain officers did not go in vain.
Authorities suspect the gunmen to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a security outfit associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Governor Mbah revealed that security intelligence pointed to the involvement of the ESN, citing eyewitness reports of several SUVs, including a black Lexus SUV, used by the assailants.
The Enugu State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, corroborated the governor’s account of the incident.
According to the statement, the policemen engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee the scene. Two officers sustained gunshot injuries and were hospitalized for treatment.
Commissioner of Police Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu has ordered a massive deployment of the command’s operational, tactical, and intelligence resources to track down the perpetrators.
The command remains resolute in its determination to bring the culprits to justice and ensure the safety and security of the people of Enugu State.
This tragic event echoes a similar incident in 2022 when gunmen killed five people, including three policemen, in Enugu State.
The Enugu State Police Command launched a manhunt following that attack, underscoring the persistent threat of criminal violence in the region.
As investigations continue and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators intensify, the Enugu State government and law enforcement agencies appeal to the public for cooperation.
Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the assailants is urged to come forward and assist in bringing them to justice.
The brazen attack serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat criminality and ensure peace and security in Enugu State.
