The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers in Njaba council area of the state by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Tuesday.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini on Wednesday said the attack on the palace was coordinated by members of the outlawed group.
He disclosed in a statement by the Police spokesman Michael Abattam that his Command received information on Tuesday around 3 pm that some hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN were attacking the venue where the transitional chairman of Njaba local government was holding meeting with some traditional rulers.
The police boss explained that immediately he dispatched the Command’s tactical teams comprising of the Special Forces, Rapid Response Squad and anti-kidnapping Squad to the scene.
Unfortunately, he said before the arrival of the police the hoodlums had fled the scene after killing the two monarchs.
He revealed that the Transitional Chairman of Njaba local government, Hon. Emeka Ihenacho, invited was having a meeting with 15 traditional rulers of Njaba communities without informing the police or other security agencies.
“While the meeting was in progress armed bandits suspected to be IPOB/ ESN members came and started shooting at them indiscriminately after which they ran back into the bush.
“Unfortunately, two of the traditional rulers HRH Eze S. C Osunwa of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Barr A. E Durueburuo of Okwudor Autonomous Community lost their lives in the attack while HRH Eze A. N Onyeka (JP) of Nkume Autonomous Community sustained gunshot injuries.”
He disclosed further that since the police station in the area was raised down by some hoodlums, the Command had only posted to the area vehicular patrol to help in checkmating crimes.
“The police station in Njaba was recently attacked and raised down by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror groups, where two police officers lost their lives.
“Thus, the command had to post Policemen to the area on vehicular patrols to help in checkmating crimes and criminalities. pending when a new police station will be rebuilt.
According to him: “The Command is exploring all avenues possible to see that the fleeing bandits are arrested and prosecuted.”
