A group of armed men killed at least four police officers in Ebonyi State early on Friday.
The attack occurred at the well-known Ebyia Bridge Checkpoint along Hill-Top Road, Abakaliki, at approximately 5 am on Friday.
Two women were also killed during the shootout.
According to PUNCH Metro, gunmen have recently targeted and killed numerous security personnel in the state.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed our reporter that the attackers allegedly opened fire on the officers as they returned from a mission.
The source explained, “Our area has become a hotspot for criminals. Just this morning, we heard about another incident where some policemen were killed by suspected armed robbers at Hill-Top Road near the gas station.
“And a similar incident happened at the same spot last year, where some police officers were also killed by an armed gang.
“Some of the officers from last year’s attack have yet to be buried, and now six more policemen have lost their lives in the same manner, along with two women this morning.
“Those two women were reportedly in relationships with the slain officers; however, some have claimed that they were prostitutes returning home this morning.”
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the incident, but stated that four, not five, of its officers were killed.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ukandu Joshua, in a statement on Friday.
“On today's date, 08/03/2024, at around 05:00 am, officers of the Command who were stationed at Hill-Top for stop and search were attacked by armed criminals who fired at the officers.
“The officers engaged in a fierce gun battle with the criminals, and in the exchange of gunfire, the criminals fled and left behind a pump action rifle, which was recovered. However, four (4) officers were killed, and two (2) civilians were caught in the crossfire and also died,” the statement read.
