Gunmen Kill Police Officer in Abia, Abduct Professor, others in Imo
Gunmen launched separate coordinated attacks in Abia and Imo States on Tuesday, resulting in the killing of a police officer as well as carting away with his rifle, and abduction of a university professor, PRNigeria reports.
Sources confirmed to Zagazola that a police patrol team in Abia State was ambushed at about 8:30 p.m. along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road, near Asa, while returning from an assignment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The attackers, dressed in combat gear, intercepted the officers after a filling station and opened fire.
It was gathered that Inspector Christian Gbaratee was killed in the assault, and his service rifle was stolen. Another officer, Inspector Ekoro Isong, was declared missing during the incident but later resurfaced unharmed. A suspect who had been in custody was also taken away by the assailants. Other officers, including ASP Victor Eze and Inspector Nwanochi Ndubuisi, escaped the scene without injuries.
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Police operatives responded promptly, recovering a Toyota Corolla, expended ammunition, a laptop, and three travel bags from the area. The body of the deceased officer has been deposited at the Euro Allied Medical Center Mortuary for autopsy, while a joint security operation involving military personnel is ongoing to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen firearm.
Earlier the same day, around 6:25 p.m., gunmen ambushed travelers along the Owerri-Aba Highway in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. During the attack, the driver of a Toyota Hilux vehicle (registration number BWR 692 GJ, FCT) was shot dead, and several passengers were abducted.
Among those kidnapped is Professor Herbert Batta, Head of the Department of Media and Information Technology at the University of Uyo. The identities of the other abducted victims remain unknown.
Security agencies—including the military, police, DSS, and local vigilantes—have since launched intensive search and rescue operations aimed at freeing the hostages and arresting the perpetrators.
The twin incidents have raised concerns over growing insecurity along key transportation corridors in the Southeast, prompting renewed calls for enhanced highway patrols and intelligence-led policing.
By PRNigeria
