Shock As Gunmen Dispossess Policemen In Abia

Some gunmen who were operating a tricycle have caused serious problems in Abia State.

The gunmen reportedly snatched two guns from police officers of Abia Police Command in Aba the commercial nerve of Abia State.

The incident, our correspondent gathered, happened along Faulks road by Osusu junction in Aba North local government area on Wednesday night while they were on a stop-and-search operation in the area.

Unconfirmed reports said the policemen were attached to the Eziama Police Division in Aba North LGA.

While reports have it the gunmen arrived in a Hilux SUV, others claimed that they arrived in a commercial tricycle, catching the police officers on duty off guard.

They were reported to have made away with the guns after overpowering the police team.

Residents and shop owners in the area said the incident forced them to close shops abruptly to avoid being caught in the web of the melee.

Abia Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna did not pick up calls or respond to text messages by The Nation.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the imposition of an immediate ban on the operational hours of commercial tricycle operators in the state.

Ikpeazu, in a statement on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Chris Ezem, said the ban on Keke operation starts from 7pm to 6am daily till further notice.

Ikpeazu, who cited the rise in crime wave in the State reportedly committed by hoodlums operating in commercial tricycles, directed security agencies to arrest, detain and prosecute offenders.