Tension in C/River as hoodlums "butcher" 4 police officers, IGP orders immediate arrest of attackers

The inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the attack of four police officers in Ogoja, Cross River state.

IGP in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 23, by the force spokesperson Frank Mba, said the attackers of the officers, who were on a "legitimate mission to arrest some suspected armed robbers" must be made to bear the consequence of their action.

247NNU gathers that the officers who were attached to the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), were gruesomely attacked on Wednesday, April 17, by hoodlums led by one Ikenga, a notorious receiver of stolen property.

The four detectives were investigating a case of a stolen Toyota Sienna Bus earlier reported by the Master Chapel Church, a Pentecostal church based in Lagos when the attackers surfaced and unleashed mayhem on them.

Part of the statement read: "The suspects who were positively implicated in the crime by Police investigation, confessed to indeed stealing the vehicle. They stated further that they had sold the vehicle to another criminal in Benue state.

"Hence, detectives moved to Benue state with one of the suspects. On arrest of the suspect in Benue state, he stated that he had sold the vehicle to another notorious receiver of stolen goods based in Ogoja for a sum of #250, 000 Naira. "With this discovery, the detectives proceeded straight to Cross River state, where the notorious receiver IKENGA was apprehended and the stolen vehicle recovered.

"However, in a bizarre twist, shortly after his arrest, the suspect raised an alarm in his native language which attracted his gang members. Subsequently, the policemen came under serious physical attack from weapon- wielding hoodlums. The officers were savagely butchered by these armed gangs. Consequently, Ikenga, the notorious crook escaped with the stolen vehicle."

The IGP, while condemning the attack, warned that the police under his watch would not tolerate criminal attacks and assault on its personnel or facilities. He enjoined traditional rulers and community leaders not to allow such attacks to take place in their domain as they may be called to account.

The statement continues: "IGP has therefore ordered for the immediate manhunt and arrest of Mr IKenga and other members of his gang. He also urged members of the public to avail the Police with credible and useful information that will lead to the apprehension of all persons involved in these unwholesome and illegal acts."