Gunmen ambushed and killed two policemen at the popular “Okpala Junction’’ in the Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo on Saturday.

The police spokesman in Imo, ASP Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, had ordered a manhunt for the assailants.

“It was an ambush; two of our personnel gallantly paid the supreme price while one, shot in the leg, is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

“They were ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

“In a protracted gun duel that ensued, the hoodlums escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries,’’ Mr Okoye said.

He added that one of the operational vehicles used by the hoodlums had been recovered.

“The vehicle was riddled with gunshots and was smeared with blood.

“This evidently suggests that our operatives actually gave the hoodlums a fierce battle.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a manhunt for the assailants with a view to arresting them and bringing them to face the full wrath of the law,’’ Mr Okoye stressed.

He urged members of the public to go about their lawful activities, noting that normalcy had returned to the area.

The attack came one month after five police officers and a couple were killed at the same junction on April 21.

On March 27, gunmen ambushed and killed five personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the same Ngor-Okpala Council Area.

A witness said businesses in the community quickly shut down as everyone scampered to safety.

(NAN)