BREAKING: Suspected IPOB/ESN Militants Attack Police Patrols in Anambra, Injure Officer, Steal Rifles

• Suspected IPOB/ESN militants on Wednesday ambushed joint police patrol teams in Anambra State, injuring an officer, burning a patrol vehicle, and stealing two service rifles before fleeing toward Idemili North.

Suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN militia on Wednesday launched a coordinated armed attack on joint police patrol teams along the Abatete–Eziowelle road in Anambra State, injuring an officer and carting away two service rifles.

According to security sources, the assailants, armed with general-purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles, operated with a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all bearing unidentified registration numbers.

The attackers, who were dressed in full military and police uniforms, opened fire on personnel from the Department of Operations (DOPS), State Headquarters Awka, and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad. The patrol teams returned fire, engaging the militants in a fierce shootout that forced them to retreat.

During the exchange, gunfire from the militants struck the Special Anti-Cultism Squad’s patrol bus, setting it ablaze, while the DOPS patrol pickup was riddled with bullets and damaged.

Security sources said Insp. Uduak Anthony of MOPOL 29 Awka, attached to the DOPS unit, lost his Type 06 rifle (Breech No. 10967) loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition when it slipped from his grip as he sought cover. The militants made away with the weapon.

As they fled, the gunmen allegedly snatched a Mercedes Benz SUV from a motorist, Eze Tochukwu of Enugu State, and sped toward Umuoji in Idemili North LGA.

At Umuoji, the attackers encountered two police inspectors attached to former Anambra Governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. The officers—Insp. Eniobong Roberts of 29 PMF Awka and Insp. Udezike Kingsley of DOPS—were travelling in a vehicle when the militants double-crossed them and opened fire.

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Insp. Udezike was shot in the left leg while seeking cover, and his AK-47 rifle was stolen. Insp. Roberts returned fire, forcing the attackers to abandon the snatched Mercedes Benz SUV, which was later recovered by police.

The injured officer is receiving treatment at Crown Hospital, Nkpor, and is reported to be responding well.

A senior police officer told VerseNews that tactical units have been fully deployed and are “combing suspected hideouts, camps, and escape routes of the terrorists” to apprehend the attackers and recover the stolen firearms.