GUNMEN KILL SIX POLICE OFFICERS IN CROSS RIVER, CART AWAY WEAPONS

At least 6 police officers on patrol duty in Cross River have been killed and their rifles were stolen by gunmen.

Intelligence gathered that two policemen were fatally shot on Wednesday morning at a checkpoint in Ofotura while four more were killed at the Oyadama checkpoint.

Both incidents happened within Obubra local government area in Central Cross River state. Sources say the assailants were chanting IPOB songs.

There has been a spike in attacks on police officers following the ENDSARS protest, especially in the Southern part of the country.

On Thursday, February 25, gunmen attacked and killed 4 policemen on duty in Idundun, Calabar. The assailants also carted away their weapons.

A similar incident happened on Wednesday, February 24, when gunmen killed some policemen in Aguata local government area of Anambra state. 

Another attack occurred in Aba, Abia state where gunmen burned a police station, killed two police officers and carted away weapons. 

Intelligence security experts posit that the recent attacks on policemen in the South might run deeper than a mere fallout from the insecurity made heightened by the #ENDSARS protest.

The attacks could be a ploy by the proscribed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militia to stock up weapons and sources say the perpetrators of Wednesday’s attack on police officers were chanting IPOB songs.

ADVISORY: Relevant authorities should investigate the IPOB connection to the recent attacks on security operatives. Police officers should beef up security and maintain situational awareness at all times. Communal engagements with the people are highly encouraged to foster trust and peacebuilding.

Credit: EONS Intelligence