In a dramatic daytime attack, unknown gunmen ambushed a police vehicle on Airport Road in Benin City, resulting in the death of a police inspector and injuring two sergeants.
The incident replicated the ambush and killing of four policemen that were serving at Sabongida-Ora police division in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, few years ago.
In that encounter the officers were on routine patrol of the area when they were ambushed, killed, their guns carted away by the assailants who also set their bodies ablaze inside their Hilux patrol van.
Today’s attack occurred around 11 a.m. as the officers were transporting suspects from Ugbor Police Station in charge of GRA to the State Police Command headquarters, Benin City.
The assailants, driving a Toyota Sienna, disguised themselves as road construction workers and struck when the police vehicle slowed down to navigate a damaged section of the road.
When our reporter visited the scene shortly after the offensive, the ill-fated police operational vehicle and the casualties have been evacuated. However, visible blood stains dotted the ground.
Witnesses told our reporter that the gunmen captured a man believed to be a suspect and fled the scene. Several individuals, including two women and three others were said to have fled in different directions during the ambush.
Contacted, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesman for the Edo State Police Command said, “At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Monday, January 8, 2024, police operatives were ambushed while responding to CP Mohammed Dankwara’s directive to transfer suspects to the state headquarters.
“One inspector was killed, and two others sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical care. All suspects in transit have escaped. Tactical teams are currently pursuing both the gunmen and the escaped suspects, who were apprehended for various crimes including in kidnapping, same-sex activities and gun running.”
SP Nwabuzor mentioned the escaped suspects as one Kingsley Eze, a notorious kidnap kingpin who allegedly connived with Omonigho Uzi, and three others at large to abduct a female medical doctor last December.
Others he said were Bose Ekhosuehi and Sandra Stanley nabbed for indulging in same-sex act in a hotel in GRA, Benin City, last November, as well as Angela Ekiuwa arrested for illegal transaction in firearms.
“All the suspects have earlier made confessional statements at Ugbor Divisional Station and they were to be interrogated further to enable investigators arrest other members of their syndicates when the unfortunate ambush occurred”, the police spokesman said.
Unconfirmed source stated that the attack was made possible due to police leaked intelligence received by the assailants.
It will be recalled that in a similar attack gunmen reportedly killed one Inspector Osio Monday Ehigie at Nomayo Street junction, Upper Sonkponba Road, Benin City, few years ago.
The police officer was attached to Hon. Eric Osayande, the then Executive Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
