BREAKING: Many Officers Feared Killed As Gunmen Ambush Police, Burn Patrol Vehicle
On Saturday night gunmen attacked a police patrol team in Enugu metropolis, killing two officers and setting their patrol vehicle ablaze in a daring assault that has heightened security concerns in the state.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. along Zik Avenue, near Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in the Uwani area of Enugu. The victims were identified as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Anayo Ede, both attached to the Distress Response Squad (DRS) of the Enugu State Police Command.
According to police sources, the officers were on routine patrol duties when they were ambushed by armed men believed to be six in number. The attackers reportedly arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV.
A senior police officer familiar with the incident said on Monday that the officers were taken completely by surprise.
“They were not at a checkpoint. They were on what we call a ‘visiting round’, that is, a routine check by senior officers to ensure personnel on duty at strategic locations are alert and performing their duties,” the source explained.
The source said the patrol team had stopped briefly in the area when the attack occurred.
“After parking near a pharmacy around Keystone Bank on Zik Avenue, one of the officers had stepped out to buy medication. As he was returning to the vehicle, the gunmen opened fire,” the officer said. “Both inspectors were shot at close range and died instantly.”
The attackers also shot at the patrol Hilux vehicle’s fuel tank, causing it to burst into flames. The vehicle was completely razed.
Police sources further disclosed that three AK-47 rifles, each loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, were stolen during the attack.
Providing more details, another source said one of the slain officers, Inspector Valentine Iheme, was from Abia State, while Inspector Anayo Ede hailed from Ugbawka community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“Their team leader survived because he was in plain clothes at the time and had stepped away from the vehicle to make purchases,” the source said. “People around did not know he was a police officer, which likely saved his life.”
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, police authorities believe it may have been a targeted operation.
“We cannot jump to conclusions at this stage,” the senior officer said. “Some attacks are opportunistic, others are sponsored. Investigations are ongoing, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
In response to the incident, the Enugu State Police Command has reportedly activated all tactical units and deployed assets across the metropolis and adjoining areas to track down the suspects, recover the stolen weapons, and prevent further attacks.
“The command is fully mobilised,” a source said. “There will be no hiding place for the perpetrators.”
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and text messages sent to the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
