Abia Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the killing of two of its personnel on Tuesday evening in Aba, the state’s commercial hub, by unknown gunmen.

The command’s police public relations officer, ASP Maureen Chilaka, said the hoodlums killed an inspector and a constable.

She said the incident happened when the hoodlums attacked the convoy of the Abia Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Chimezie Ukaegbu, on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred at the popular SAMECK Junction, bordering Ariaria International Market and linking Faulks Road and the Old Express Road.

Ms Chilaka said the police have stationed over seven Hilux vans around A-Line in Ariaria while their men wait in the parked vehicles to restore law and order.

She said the hoodlums attacked the commissioner’s convoy during his familiarisation tour to markets in the Aba metropolis.

“The convoy was en route to Ekeoha Shopping Plaza when the armed assailants opened fire. Regrettably, amidst the chaos, two police personnel lost their lives in the line of duty.

“Furthermore, the hoodlums set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Ministry for Trade, Commerce, and Investment,” she said.

Ms Chilaka said the Abia Police Commissioner, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, had assured Abia people and residents that every effort would be exerted with discreet investigations to ensure that justice is served.

A source who pleaded anonymity told journalists that some others sustained bullet wounds from the ensuing panic, which forced people to hide inside their shops and houses until the late hours of Tuesday night.

She also said the police returned early Wednesday morning to arrest some persons while shooting into the air.

(NAN)