Six suspected bandits were on Monday killed after policemen engaged the gang in a gun duel at Omuma town in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Omuma Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor, however, lost his life during the gun battle.
A spokesperson for the police in the state, Micheal Abattam, who confirmed the incident, said 11 suspects were arrested.
He said, “On July 26, around 4.20pm, armed bandits in a convoy of three vehicles were repelled in Omuma town in the Oru East LGA of Imo State.
“According to the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Abang, of Omuma Area Command, who stated that based on information received that bandits were sighted moving in a convoy into Omuma town, he immediately alerted the ever-active tactical teams of the command, who swung into action, ambushed and launched a surprise attack on the convoy of the bandits, which resulted in the neutralisation of six of the bandits, while 11 of them were arrested and taken to the station.
“Unfortunately, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor, paid the supreme price. The teams later recovered the three vehicles abandoned by the bandits to the station, which included two Toyota Highlander SUV, with number plates Abia MBL 517 AT and Lagos JJJ 984 EL, respectively, and a milk-coloured unregistered Lexus SUV.
“Presently, the command’s tactical teams and special forces, led by ACP Evans E.Shem, are combing the bush for possible arrest of the bandits who fled into the bush.”