The Imo State Police Command says its officers have repelled attack unleashed on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Orlu.
According to police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam, gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network launched an attack at the INEC Office on Friday, December 2
Abattam disclosed that the gunmen threw Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs into the office from outside the fence and shot sporadically in a bid to gain access into the office.
The spokesman said its gallant operatives were able to repel the attackers, who suffered defeat and bullet injuries during a gun duel that ensued.
Abattam added that gunmen retreated into their vehicles and zoomed off from the scene.
He further informed that no life or arms and ammunition were lost during the attack nor the INEC main building affected by the explosives.
According to the police spokesman, only a minor damage was done by the attackers on the security post of the INEC office.
He said the security operatives swiftly quenched the fire ignited by the attackers’ explosives at the security post to prevent it from spreading to the main building and other structures in the vicinity.
Abattam equally informed that efforts are on to track down the fleeing hoodlums, stressing that they cannot run far going by the volume of blood stain that was found at scene after they had escaped.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde has commended the officers and men for their gallantry and urged them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He appealed to Imolites for their continuous support and collaboration by giving security agencies, especially the police, credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within their communities to the nearest police station or call the Command’s control room emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
