The police command in Imo says it foiled an attack on the chairman of the Council of Imo Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, at his Amaifeke palace in Orlu LGA on Tuesday. The attack left at least one person dead, with several others wounded.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said a local security operative died from gunshot wounds after the attack.

“Police operatives of Orlu divisional headquarters in a joint operation with the local vigilantes of Amaifeke ancient Kingdom, Orlu on 18/07/2023 at about 1415hrs foiled attempts to invade the palace of the chairman Council of Imo Traditional Rulers, the traditional ruler of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Emmanuel Okeke at Amaifeke in Orlu LGA of Imo state,” said the statement.

It added, “The hoodlums came in their numbers shooting sporadically and fighting their way into the palace but were given a stiff resistance by police operatives and local vigilantes who professionally took vantage positions and engaged the hoodlums in a protracted gun duel.”

The statement said the stiff resistance by the joint security operatives forced the hoodlums to flee with gunshot wounds.

According to the police, two vigilantes were shot.

“Unfortunately, one of them died while receiving medical attention, while the other is in stable condition. On combing the adjourning bushes, blood stains were seen, which evidentially suggested that the hoodlums were fatally hit,” the police command stated.

It also mentioned that police commissioner Mohammed Ahmed Barde urged Amaifeke residents not to panic as adequate security measures are in place to forestall future attacks.

“More so, the CP beckons the general public, particularly owners of hospitals and first-aid outlets, to swiftly report persons seen with or treating gunshot injury in the state to the nearest police station,” the statement.

It urged the public to call the command’s emergency numbers (08034773600 or 08098880197).

(NAN)