Five persons lost their lives on Friday, 13th August, 2021, when hoodlums invaded Izombe Police Divisional headquarters in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to the report, two policemen on duty were shot dead, while three of the invaders were also killed.
The attackers allegedly planned to bomb the station but first engaged the cops in a duel battle which resulted in loss of lives.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State Police Command, Michael Abattam, confirmed the attack, saying the bandits on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel, but were subdued, due to the superior firepower of the police.
He said they fled into the bush and in the process three of the bandits were neutralised and their arms one pump action gun with two rounds of live cartridges and one locally made double barrel pistol with two expended cartridges, were recovered from them, while others escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.
The PPRO added that the tactical teams are presently, in pursuit of the bandits and combing the bush for the arrest of the fleeing bandits and possible recovery of their arms.
The command appealed to the people of Imo State especially, the Izombe community, to assist the police with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing bandits and to report to the nearest police station anybody seen with bullet wounds.
It also advised hospitals to ensure that they report any body who comes to them for treatment of bullet wounds.