A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of a community in Oru East LGA of Imo state, Fatmann Dooiyor, has been killed by people suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma hails from Oru east LGA.
The murder coincided with the day IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was to appear in court in continuation of his trial.
A statement by the spokesperson of the police command in Imo, Mike Abattam, said six of the gunmen were killed during a gun duel with police officers.
Abattam said 11 other suspected members of IPOB were also arrested.
“The tactical teams of the command immediately swung into action, ambushed and launched a surprise attack on the convoy of the bandits which resulted in the neutralisation of six of the bandits while 11 of them were arrested at the station,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor paid the supreme price.
“The teams later recovered the three vehicles abandoned by the bandits to the station which include two Toyota Highlander SUV vehicles with registration numbers Abia MBL 517 AT and LAGOS , JJJ 984 EL respectively and a milk coloured unregistered Lexus Jeep.
“Presently, the command’s tactical teams and Special Forces led by ACP Evans E.Shem are combing the bush for possible arrest of the bandits that fled into the bush.”
