How gunmen attacked seven police stations in Imo, Anambra within 41 days

Nigeria, the giant of Africa over the past one decade has been plagued with a series of security threats. Police stations and other security formations considered to be safe heavens for individuals seeking protection, have become targets of frequent deadly attacks by gunmen, especially in the South East.

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In recent time, gunmen have unleashed series of attacks on police stations in the South East with some of the incidents leading to fatalities aside from wanton destruction of property.

Below is a list of seven attacks on police stations in Imo and Anambra states in the last 41 days, from February 20, 2022 and April 1, 2022.

Isu Divisional Police headquarters

On Sunday, February 20, 2022, armed men suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN in their numbers went to the Isu Divisional police headquarters in two Toyota Sienna buses, a Toyota Camry car and an unspecified number of motorcycles.

The hoodlums took advantage of the porous neighbourhood and attacked the station from the rear, shooting indiscriminately and throwing petrol bombs and IEDs that ignited the station.

Their raid led to the death of two police officer with the police in turn arresting 18 of the attackers.

Ekwulobia Police Station

Armed men on Friday, March 19 2022 launched an attack on Ekwulobia Police station in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident happened less than 24 hours after policemen and naval officers were killed in different locations across the state.

The police station was among those razed during the October 2021 #EndSARS crisis but it was renovated recently. There are reports that two persons were killed in the attack.

Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters

On Monday, March 28, 2022, gunmen stormed the Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters in the Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, along Owerri–Umuahia road.

The Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abattam, while confirming the incident, said “armed men suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN), its militia wing, came in their numbers from the rear of the division, which is an ungoverned forest, threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that fell on the transit camp and a vehicle, shooting sporadically.”

Three undetonated explosives, four pieces of expended ammunition, five live cartridges, 33 expended catridges, two masks, one pump action gun and a motor saw machine were reportedly recovered from the gunmen. Minimal damage was caused to the transit camp, and a vehicle. Though no life was lost, a police operative sustained an injury.

Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters

Hours after the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 9, Umuahia, Isaac Akinmoyede, left the state after a one-day working visit, gunmen in the early hours of Saturday, March 19, 2022 attacked and set ablaze the Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, killing two police men.

This particular attack happened a few days after two warders who were part of a Joint Security Task Force were killed when gunmen attacked their patrol vehicle in Okigwe.

Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters

24 hours after yet-to-be identified gunmen attacked Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters situated in the Owerri West LGA of the state, killing two police constabularies on duty, burning vehicles and freeing suspects in cells, another attack was launched on the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

Omuma is the home town of the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.

The attackers engaged policemen in a gun duel on arrival at the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters. Four of the attackers were killed as policemen and the operatives of the Department of State Services engaged the gunmen in a gun battle.

Mbieri Divisional Headquarters

Gunmen in the early hours of Friday, April 1, 2022 invaded the Mbieri Divisional headquarters situated in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. They arrived at Mbieri Divisional headquarters around 3am and opened fire on the police facility.

However, the police spokesperson for the command, Micheal Abattam, said that it was a foiled attack.

Abattam said that petrol bombs the attackers threw at the police formation only affected a part of the roof, adding that one vehicle was affected.

Amichi Divisional Police Headquarters

Saturday, April 1, 2022, hoodlums attacked the Amichi Divisional Police Headquarters in Nnewi South Local Government Area and some others in Anambra State.

The attacks came barely 24 hours after the administrative headquarters of Nnewi South LGA was attacked, leaving two people dead.

The police stations were still undergoing reconstruction as they were among those attacked during the 2020 EndSARS protest. No casualty was recorded as all the policemen at station had been moved to the area commands after the #ENDSARS saga.

At a sensitisation campaign on the Police Public Complaint Committee (PPCC) organised on Tuesday by the Ministry of Police Affairs for the North Central zone in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, condemned the incessant attacks on police formations in some states of the federation.

Baba, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 8, Edeh Ayuba, charged officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to redouble their efforts in their attempt to provide adequate security for life and property of Nigerians.