Gunmen launched a deadly ambush on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, July 6, killing a police constable and reportedly abducting an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The attack occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, close to the Old Gariki area in Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

“During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was shot dead, and his service rifle was taken by the attackers,” a source familiar with the incident revealed. “ASP Casmir, who led the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, and fears are growing that he may have been abducted and killed.”

The source added: “One PC, Oluebube, was killed in action, and his smoke gunner carted away. ASP Casmir and his AK-47 rifle are missing. Other members of his team have returned to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical care.”

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, July 7, and stated that a manhunt is underway to apprehend the perpetrators.

Spokesman for the Command, Henry Okoye, said the attackers are believed to have links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), citing early investigative leads.

“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

Niger State Police has recovered 50 rounds of live anti- aircraft ammunition abandoned by fleeing bandits following heavy bombardment from the military in Sulupawa village via Rijau to Kumbashi and Kakihum areas of Mariga local government of Niger state.

In a statement confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun said the police received a report on 25th June, 2025 at about 9am that suspected bandits attacked Watari village via Rijau and its environs.

According to him, the gunmen also rustled unconfirmed number of cattle,, however, a subsequent air bombardment from Sulupawa village via Rijau to Kumbashi and Kakihum areas of Mariga by the military left the hoodlums in disarray with casualties.

Abiodun disclosed that during a follow-up assessment of the operation, the Police operatives of Rijau Div with vigilante members recovered fifty (50) rounds of anti-aircraft live ammunition abandoned by the bandits at Biyemu forest on 28th June, 2025 as a result of the bombardment

However, he also revealed that security assessment and investigation into the issue is ongoing with a view to fortify the area against reoccurrence,

The statement further said that tactical teams are still being maintained at strategic locations for security coverage.

The Delta State Police Command has uncovered the body of 38-year-old Chigozie Udalor, a site engineer, allegedly killed and buried in a shallow grave by his employees.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Thursday said
Udalor, who was employed by his cousin to oversee a construction project, hired four young men from Benue State for the job.

“On December 10, 2024, the workers reportedly conspired, attacking Udalor with a hammer and striking his head,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the suspects then buried his body at the construction site in a desperate attempt to cover up the crime.

“A sad story of a 38-year-old man who was employed by his cousin as a site engineer. The site engineer, Chigozie Udalor, employed four boys all from Benue State.

“On 10th December 2024, they conspired and murdered him at the site using a hammer to hit his head and buried him in a shallow grave there at the site. Man’s inhumanity to man.

“His body was exhumed yesterday 2nd April 2025 after arresting two of the suspects.” the statement added.