Gunmen on Thursday reportedly set ablaze the Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuelemai in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to Punch, the hoodlums opened fire on the facility before setting it on fire.
It was gathered that the attackers, who invaded the station at around 7 pm and also released some suspects in custody.
An indigene of the area who spoke to Punch revealed that the hoodlums repeatedly shot at the police station.
He said, “The gunshots were terrifying. We were terribly tense owing to the gunshots. They supervised the burning of the place before leaving.”
However, the Imo state police command said it repelled the attack on the Police station.
A statement released by the spokesperson of the command, CSP Micahel Abattam, said the armed hoodlum, suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror group, arrived at the police station in about five vehicles, three motorcycles and threw petrol bombs on the roof.
Abattam said the attackers, who shot indiscriminately, were repelled by ‘gallant police operatives attached to the station returned fire, engaging them in a gun duel.
He noted that due to the gallantry of the police operatives, no life was lost.
The Police spokesman said the fire caused damage to the building, while an officer who sustained a gunshot is currently receiving treatment.
