According to a report from the Okigwe Division, the attackers opened fire on the squad, leaving three officers injured.
Men of the IGP Special Interventions Squad (SIS), Abuja, were attacked on Sunday morning by suspected operatives of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) while on transit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A police wireless message on Sunday said the incident occurred at about 9:00 am at MRS Fuel Station, Abor Umulolo, Okigwe, Imo State.
According to a report from the Okigwe Division, the attackers opened fire on the squad, leaving three officers injured.
They were promptly rushed to General Hospital, Okigwe, for medical attention.
Insp. Umaru Mohammed was confirmed dead on arrival, while Insp. Omolere Oluseyi and Cpl. Adamu Babajada were stabilised for onward transfer to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
During the ensuing gun duel, the SIS team neutralised one of the attackers and recovered one AK-47 rifle (breech no. 533064), three magazines, twenty-eight rounds of live ammunition, and charms.
“Information was received from Supol Okigwe Division mine that men of IGP Special Interventions Squad SIS Abuja on transit to Port Harcourt Rivers State were attacked by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists at MRS Fuel Station Abor Umulolo Okigwe mine,” the report said.
“ACPol/ Supol Okigwe patrol teams rushed to the scene, met Inspr Omolere Oluseyi ‘M’, Inspr Umaru Mohammed and Cpl Adamu Babajada with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Victims were rushed to General Hospital Okigwe for treatment. Inspr Umaru Mohammed was confirmed dead on arrival by doctor on duty, body deposited at the hospital morgue while the other two are being stabilised for onward transfer to Federal Medical Centre Owerri for more medical attention.”
According to the police report, no arms were lost by the officers, and photographs of the recovered items were taken.
Tactical teams from SIS Owerri, led by DCP DOPS Owerri, in coordination with the military and other security agencies, immediately arrived at the scene to track down fleeing perpetrators.
Authorities have assured that further updates on the operation will be communicated.