Enugu State Police Command has taken into custody three individuals in relation to the purported killing of two police officers and three members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group in an ambush that occurred at Igga community, situated in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.
According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the command, the “unprovoked, unwarranted attack and gruesome murder” of the five security personnel was executed by criminal elements harbored within the community.
The incident transpired within the community on Friday evening, as confirmed by Ndukwe.
He also disclosed that on the same day, a security team comprised of three police officers and four Neighbourhood Watch Group members was entrusted with safeguarding a group of investors from Lagos who were inspecting a potential agricultural investment site in the vicinity.
However, the team fell prey to an ambush and came under fire from a substantial number of criminal perpetrators.
Following the sudden and unprovoked attack, the team members dispersed in an attempt to seek safety.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), leading the team, along with one Neighbourhood Watch personnel and three investors, were subsequently rescued by a responding police unit that rushed to the scene.
Despite these efforts, some members of the team were reported missing and unaccounted for.
Following an extensive investigation, a search operation was conducted, resulting in the arrest of three male suspects believed to be the masterminds behind the assault.
Subsequent revelations made during interrogations led to the recovery of the bodies of the two deceased police officers and three Neighbourhood Watch Group members in the forest on May 4, 2024,” he mentioned.
The spokesperson elaborated that the deceased individuals were taken to the hospital, officially pronounced dead by medical professionals, and their remains were preserved in the mortuary for further examination.