An attack on a police station in Orji, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo state was repelled by the police on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the Imo police spokesperson Bala Elkana, the command arrested five hoodlums who allegedly attempted to attack the station.

Mr Elkana said that the hoodlums attempted to stop the reconstruction work on the station which was set ablaze during the EndSARS protest in 2020.

He also said that the team led by the Commissioner of Police in the state (CP), Abutu Yaro, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.

The police spokesperson said that the latter abandoned their operational vehicles and fled into neighbouring town.

 “The hoodlums, who believed that the re-establishment of a functional police station may prevent them from carrying out their nefarious acts in Orji and environs, decided to invade the construction site.

 “A philanthropist contracted the reconstruction project and the CP, Abutu Yaro, personally led an enforcement team to the scene.

 “Before the arrival of the reinforcement team, the hoodlums melted into the neighbouring towns but abandoned their operational vehicles.

 “The whole area was cordoned and five suspects, namely Chigaemezu Sabastine, 26, Casmir Ibe, 36,  John Chinonso, 24, Chukwudi Okoro, 28 and Alozie Daberechi, 25, were arrested.

“Meanwhile, no life was lost but three vehicles were recovered,” he said.

He, however, said that the mop-up operation was ongoing to arrest more suspects and recover their firearms.

(NAN)