Gunmen strike Ezimo community in Enugu State on Thursday night, killing a police officer and raising questions over DIG Frank Mbah’s residence.
Eyewitnesses in the community said the attackers, suspected to be herdsmen, storm the area around 7 pm and attempt to force their way into the residence of DIG Mbah.
A police guard on duty reportedly resists their entry, raises an alarm, and is shot in the process. His rifle is allegedly seized by the assailants, who later flee into nearby bushes.
Residents say the incident may be a foiled kidnapping attempt, pointing out that abductions have become frequent in the area.
Some community members express fear that the gunmen might have targeted Mbah’s mother or other relatives, as similar incidents had occurred within close proximity of the house in recent months.
Security sources disclose that the slain officer succumbs to gunshot wounds after sustaining critical injuries during the exchange.
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His death heightens tension in Ezimo, where locals lament the absence of robust security despite repeated attacks.
However, the Enugu State Police Command pushes back against reports linking the gunmen directly to DIG Mbah’s residence.
In a statement, the Command described the violence as an armed robbery incident in the community, not an assault on the senior police officer’s home.
The Command confirms that a policeman is indeed shot and later dies in hospital, but stresses that investigations so far suggest a broader criminal attack rather than a targeted strike on Mbah’s family. One male suspect is already arrested, while other assailants remain at large.
The development leaves Ezimo residents anxious, with many demanding a security overhaul in the area to stem the rise of kidnappings and violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the police launch a manhunt to track down the fleeing attackers.
Sahara Reporters
