Tragedy struck in Abia State on Sunday night as gunmen ambushed a police convoy, killing one officer and critically injuring another in the Ubakala area of Umuahia South Local Government Area. This chilling attack comes just four days after two soldiers were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen at a checkpoint in Umuopara, near the Abia-Imo border.
The convoy targeted in this latest attack reportedly belonged to a federal lawmaker, though the legislator was not present at the time. The officers, along with a driver, were traveling in a Toyota Corolla around 9 p.m. when the assailants struck.
Eyewitnesses and police sources revealed that the gunmen, dressed in black and wearing police jackets, set up a blockade along the convoy’s route. Despite the officers identifying themselves as police personnel, the attackers opened fire, sparking a deadly exchange of gunfire.
One of the officers was killed on the spot, while the second was gravely injured, with unconfirmed fears about his survival. The gunmen reportedly fled the scene when police reinforcements from the nearby Ubakala Division arrived, responding swiftly to the sounds of gunfire.
This attack has once again thrown the spotlight on the worsening insecurity in Abia State and the broader southeastern region. The audacious nature of the assault, with attackers disguising themselves in police jackets, underscores the rising sophistication of criminal elements operating in the area.
Efforts to get an official statement from the Abia State Police Command have so far been unsuccessful. The Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing list of violent attacks targeting security personnel in the state, raising serious concerns about the safety of both law enforcement agents and civilians. As the injured officer fights for his life, calls for a more robust security response are growing louder.
For residents of Abia State, the repeated attacks on security forces are a grim reminder of the escalating dangers in their communities. The state government and security agencies face mounting pressure to address the situation and restore a sense of safety to the troubled region.
