Hoodlum killed, ASP shot in Ebonyi gun duel

The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Wednesday, said one hoodlum was killed and another wounded in a gun battle that ensued between its officers and some assailants in the state.

In the gun duel that occurred in the Ivo Local Government Area of the state, an Assistant Superintendent of Police was equally injured.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

She said “On the 7th day of March 2023 at about 2345hrs, the Divisional Police Officer of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distress call that unknown gunmen were firing sporadically and had also set ablaze two vehicles and a filling station.

“On receipt of the information the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene. While at the scene information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a public place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.

“On their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with superior firepower. During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralised and others fled with bullet wounds.

“The DPO immediately called the headquarters for reinforcement. The Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye Sunday Olaleye psc, intercepted the distress call and immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the Hoodlums were escaping.

“On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso, junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralised and two arrested.

“The following exhibit was recovered at the scene of the crime: Two AK-47 Rifles, one locally made pistol, some charms and a red Toyota Corolla car, one Fireman generator, one Haier Thermocool Fridge, a walkie talkie radio set, 30 “AK-47′ Live ammunition, 20 expended AK-47 ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, one Itel phone, one Android phone, one police trouser, one police beret, one police face cap and some other incriminating items.”

(Punch)