Joint security operatives on Thursday night killed at eight hoodlums after they resisted an attack on Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo state by the unknown armed men, it has emerged.
Also, the joint security operatives recovered seven vehicles the attackers came in for the operation as well as sophisticated ammunitions.
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Some of the vehicles included a Land Rover, Toyota Highlander, Siena, white hummer buses, Umuopia-Akokwa vigilante lion squad security vehicle, among others.
According to ThePunch, the gun battle between the gunmen and the security operatives lasted several hours, as the military sent reinforcement from 34 artillery brigade, Obinze, in Owerri.
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The battle between the unknown gunmen and the joint security forces was said to have started in the commercial town of Orlu, particularly the banana junction.
The gun duel created an atmosphere of panic, as people scampered for safety, as the Roads in Orlu town and its environs were deserted.
Although Police Spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, was yet to make a statement regarding the operation, a senior police officer confirmed the development.
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The senior police officer told the publication that the corpses of the hoodlums and their vehicles had been brought to the state police command headquarters in Owerri.
He disclosed that the police divisional headquarters was not razed neither did any security officer killed in the attack.
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The source said;
We successfully repelled an attempt to raze Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters last night. The hoodlums came in multiple vehicles and sophisticated weapons and asault riffles. They were repelled and eight of them were gun down and with seven vehicles belonging to them recovered.
Their corpses and seven vehicles belonging to them had been conveyed to Imo state police command headquarters in Owerri. As I speak to you now, they are with us. You need to see their charms and other things hanging on their necks.
The source added;
It was a big war. The gun battle lasted for hours but our men made up of the police, military and air force overpowered them. They were denied access into the police station premises. Eight of them were killed and seven vehicles recovered while others fled.
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The attack took place just few hours a new Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, assumed office in the state with an assurance to the residents of the state that he would resist further attacks on Police formations and killings of cops in the state.
See some graphic photos of the killed suspects, recovered ammunitions and vehicles below;
