At least, six suspected unknown gunmen have been confirmed dead after attacking Ishieke Police Division in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State yesterday night.
The Special Assistant to the State Governor on Internal Security in Ebonyi local government area, Comrade Emmanuel Mbam (Parapara) confirmed this incident, when the Nigerian Pilot correspondent contacted him through telephone on Thursday morning.
The suspected gunmen, according to him, invaded the police station with their Sienna car shot sporadically in the air and forced the residents of Ndiebor Ishieke community to run into hiding.
Mbam said he got to know that Ishieke residence came under attack by unknown gunmen at about 9:30 pm yesterday through the internal security operatives in the area on the telephone.
The security aide to the governor, in his words, immediately contacted Crack Officers and the Army who responded urgently for reinforcement.
He said: "Six ( 6 ) of the unknown gunmen who came to attack Ishieke residence have been confirmed dead, and this morning one of them, was found in the bush dead.
"Many thanks to the Cracks Officers and Army for their speedy response to my calls."
He added that both Sienna car and arms belonging to the hoodlums were all recovered following the prompt intervention of the security operatives during the attack in the area.
Confirming the level of destruction at the scene of the incident, Mbam said the gunmen destroyed one Corolla car but no residents had been reportedly shut death or sustained injuries except the hoodlums.
He urged the residents of the area to go about their legitimate businesses as the security operatives had been deployed to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
"To all who are living within the environment, go about your daily activities as the security agencies are on the ground to ensure your safety," he added.
Earlier, an eyewitness of the incident, Tony Nwori said the gunmen arrived at the police station and started shooting sporadically in the air, at about 9 pm yesterday.
He said the gunmen engaged in a gun battle with the policemen in front of the station for over 30 minutes before other security operatives came for reinforcement.
The source said the situation later drew the attention of more security operatives including the Army who came to apprehend the hoodlums.
He said: "They continued shooting sporadically in the air while moving to Odomoke Ishieke market side along Nwiboko Obodo road in Ebonyi Council Area."
Another source, Chibuike Onwe, confirmed that there was no human and vehicular movement within that vicinity as traders and residents of the area had fled away for their safety, expressing fear that lives and properties might be destroyed.
All efforts made to get police confirmation proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Joshua Ukandu's phone number was not reachable and he has not yet replied to the text message sent to him by our Correspondent at the time of filling this report.
