Two police inspectors were killed on Saturday night after gunmen ambushed a patrol team in Enugu metropolis, setting their vehicle on fire and stealing weapons in an attack that has raised fresh security concerns in the state.
The incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. along Zik Avenue, near Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in the Uwani area of the city.
The slain officers were identified as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Anayo Ede, both members of the Distress Response Squad (DRS) of the Enugu State Police Command.
According to police sources, the officers were on routine patrol, known internally as a “visiting round,” when they were attacked.
A senior officer familiar with the incident said the team had briefly parked near a pharmacy close to Keystone Bank when one of the inspectors stepped out to buy medication.
“As he was returning to the vehicle, the attackers opened fire,” the source said. “Both inspectors were shot at close range and died instantly.”
The assailants, believed to be about six in number, reportedly arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV.
After killing the officers, they shot the patrol Hilux vehicle’s fuel tank, causing it to burst into flames and burn completely.
Police sources disclosed that three AK-47 rifles, each loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, were taken during the attack.
Further details revealed that Inspector Valentine Iheme was from Abia State, while Inspector Anayo Ede hailed from Ugbawka community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The team leader reportedly survived the attack because he was in plain clothes and had stepped away from the vehicle at the time.
While the motive for the attack remains unclear, police believe it may have been a targeted operation.
Investigations are ongoing.
In response, the Enugu State Police Command has activated tactical units and deployed security assets across the metropolis and surrounding areas to track down the attackers, recover the stolen weapons, and prevent further incidents.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the police spokesperson were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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