The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the gunmen that killed five people including three cops in the New Haven area of the state.
The suspects, after perpetrating the crime on Wednesday, reportedly abducted a yet-to-be-identified person around the St. Francis Supermarket, Block Bus Stop, New Haven, in the Enugu North Local Government Area of the state.
The police command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the incident, told journalists that an intensive manhunt operation had been launched to fish out the assailants.
He said the assailants operated in a Lexus Jeep, adding that they opened fire on a moving police patrol van on duty along Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu State.
Two civilians lost their lives after being caught in crossfire when the gunmen, around 10.30pm, attacked the policemen, who were said to be on a stop-and-search duty in the area.
“Unfortunately, three policemen were overpowered and shot dead. The hoodlums also took away their guns and abducted one person,” a source said.
Another source said, “Two civilians caught during the gun duel were also among the people killed, while the hoodlums reportedly abducted one man.”
However, unconfirmed reports alluded that the two civilians that were killed were gunmen that succumbed to the police gunfire.
A security alert sent out by residents of the community read, “It happened at block bus stop in front of frank supermarket. Three policemen down already. Guys for our information, in case we still dey outside avoid New Haven. Two battered policemen are still lying lifeless here.”
The message was accompanied by a video which showed the dead policemen inside the gutter.
