By Deborah Nnamdi
A police orderly was killed in an apparent assassination bid on the House of Representatives member representing Isiala-Ngwa North/South Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe, in Umuahia, the state capital, on Sunday evening.
The incident, which was said to have occurred on Sunday around 8:30 pm, led to the death of the police officer who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while another policeman and the driver escaped.
Photo: Hon Ginger Onwusibe
The spokesperson for the state police command, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday, saying that the Command was committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“On 17/11/2024, at about 20:30hrs, two police officers, from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 4, Makurdi Inspector Dunna Jatau and Inspector Bala Mohammed assigned to Honorable Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Nsiala-Ngwa North/South constituency, were ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia.
“The officers were in a Police Toyota Hilux vehicle after accompanying and dropping off the Honorable in Umuahia. On their way, near Umuahia South Local Government Area Secretariat in Ubakala, their vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black attire, operating in a Toyota Corolla with tinted windows.
“The assailants blocked the path of the police vehicle and opened fire. Tragically, Insp. Bala Mohammed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Insp Dunna Jatau and the driver escaped the attack.
“The area was immediately combed by officers of the command as a comprehensive search operation was launched to locate the attackers. Tactical teams have been deployed to track down the fleeing suspects, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“The Abia State Police Command is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. We urge the public to remain calm, stay security conscious, go about their activities, and report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the nearest police station,” the statement read
Naija Daily News reports that the incident is coming barely one week after gunmen attacked and killed two soldiers dismantling their checkpoint in the state.
