In the early hours of Friday morning, a horrifying attack unfolded in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as gunmen targeted a crucial checkpoint, resulting in the deaths of four police officers and two innocent civilians. The checkpoint, situated near a gas station along Hilltop/Nwoke Road, had already suffered a similar attack last year, leaving two dead.
According to Joshua Ụkandu, the state's police spokesperson, the officers were conducting routine stop-and-search duties when the assailants, believed to be linked to the Eastern Security Network, engaged them in a sudden and violent shootout. The attackers managed to escape, leaving behind a pump action rifle. Tragically, four officers lost their lives, and two civilians were caught in the crossfire.
As the community grapples with the shock and grief, local authorities have vowed to pursue the gunmen responsible. The hunt is on to bring them to justice, but the incident raises concerns about public safety and the motives behind such attacks. Abakaliki mourns the loss of its brave officers and innocent civilians, standing resilient in the face of this senseless violence.
