Unknown gunmen killed a police inspector, injuring other at a road block in Onitsha, Anambra State on Sunday morning.

The attackers opened fire on the inspector and his colleagues on patrol at the Ukaegbu junction, off Ezeiweka road in Onitsha.

Peoples Gazette learnt that the police team had mounted a roadblock for a stop-and-search at the junction before the assailants swooped on them.

Aside the shooting which left one dead and others badly injured, the police patrol van was burnt, The Gazette also learnt.

Police spokesman in Anambra, Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement sent to The Gazette on Sunday evening, said the attackers drove in an ash sienna vehicle, and suddenly started shooting sporadically at the officers on duty.

“Unfortunately, during the exchange of gunfire, one police inspector paid the supreme price and some sustain gunshot injuries. In a bid to escape the police responding team, they set the patrol vehicle ablaze,” Mr Tochukwu said.

Mr Tochukwu further stated that the state police command has intensified search within the Onitsha axis to identify and arrest the attackers, saying the command is not discouraged with the incident “but are more committed in delivering in their mandate on the protection of lives and properties.”