The police command in Ebonyi says it killed three and arrested two suspected gunmen.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki by the command’s spokesman Onome Onovwakpoyeya.

The police command said it seized two AK-47 rifles, one locally-made pistol, one AK-47 magazine, 30 AK-47 live ammunition, 20 AK-47 expended ammunition and other incriminating items from the alleged gunmen.

“On March 7, at 23.45 hours, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distressed call that gunmen were firing sporadically and had set ablaze two vehicles and a filling station. On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene,” the police explained. “While at the scene, information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a public place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.”

It added, “While on their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with superior firepower. During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralised, and others fled with bullet wounds.”

According to the statement, the DPO called the headquarters for reinforcement.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Sunday Olaleye, intercepted the distress call and immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the hoodlums were escaping,” said the police statement. “On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralised and two arrested.”

(NAN)