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In Owerrinta, Abia State, a female detainee was tragically killed when gunmen raided the facility of the Police Rapid Response Squad in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The violent incident has drawn attention to the escalating security threats in the region and the need for improved protective measures for detainees.
The development was confirmed by Abia State’s Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, who addressed the media while showcasing crime suspects at the police headquarters on Thursday. His statement emphasized the pressing need for enhanced security measures in light of recent violent incidents.
A video recording showing the commissioner confirming the incident was uploaded to Facebook on Thursday, providing a platform for the public to engage with the police’s perspective on the troubling event. This clip has since become a focal point for discussions on security in the area.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Maureen Chinaka, the police spokesperson for Abia State, confirmed that the attack took place roughly a week ago. Her comments came as authorities continued to investigate the circumstances of the assault on the police facility.
Speaking while parading the suspects, Mr Isa said the gunmen attempted to free some detainees in the police facility during the attack.
The police commissioner said the attackers invaded the facility in three Toyota pickup trucks around midnight and opened fire on the facility.
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“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack, but the assailants used dynamite to blow off our roof.
“In their attempt to free detainees, they opened fire, tragically causing the death of a female suspect,” he said.
Mr Isa said after the attack, the police in the state employed technical tracking methods and arrested one of the suspects.
“The individual is now in police custody for interrogation to help identify other accomplices. We are making steady progress,” he stated.
Like other states in Nigeria’s South-east, security has deteriorated in Abia State with frequent attacks by armed persons.
The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.
