A police officer has been injured following an attack by gunmen, who the police suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Okigwe, Imo State.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 11:15pm on Wednesday, July 10, 2025, along the Garke axis of the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway, according to a situation report seen by SaharaReporters.
According to the report from the Unit Commander, Okigwe, to MOPOL 18 in Owerri and other relevant units, the gunmen ambushed a mobile police patrol team, during which an officer, Inspector Miller Ibanite (AP/No 204546), sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and hand.
“FROM : U/C OKIGWE, TO : MOPOL 18 OWERRI, INFO : 2/C/ADMIN/SQD ARMOURER. CJ : 4161/IMS/18PMF/UC. OK/VOLT/1.”
“STREP X ATTACK ON PMF PERSONAL X GRATEFUL BE INFORMED THAT X DATE 10/07/2025 AT ABOUT 2315HRS XMEN MINE ATTACK BY HOODLUMS SUSPECTED TO IPOB/ESN MEMBERS X AT GARKE ALONG OKIGWE UMUAHIA EXPRESS ROAD X DURING THE ATTACK X ONE AP/NO 204546 INSPECTOR MILLER IBANITE X SUSTAINED A GUNSHOT WOUND IN HIS NECK AND HAND X HIS ASSAULT RIFFLE AK 47 WITH BREECH NO. 400068 WITH 25 RDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION WAS CARTER AWAY BY THE HOODLUMS X HE IS PRESENTLY RECEIVING TREATMENT AT WINNIEX HOSPITAL OKIGWE X ABOVE FOR YOUR INFORMATION PLEASE,” the report seen by SaharaReporters read.
It was noted that during the assault, the attackers made away with Inspector Ibanite’s service rifle, an AK-47 with breech number 400068, along with 25 rounds of live ammunition.
On July 6, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen attacked a team of police officers on duty at Finas Gas Station along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road in same Imo State, killing one officer.
Meanwhile, another officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had been missing following the attack.
According to a police statement, the attack occurred around 9am when the team, led by an ASP identified as Casmir, was stationed near the Old Gariki area in Okigwe.
Police Constable, Oluebube, was shot and killed during the ambush, while his service firearm was taken by the assailants.
ASP Casmir and his AK-47 rifle are currently missing, raising fears he may have been abducted.
Other officers from the team managed to return safely to base with their weapons and are receiving medical treatment.
“One PC Oluebube was killed in action and his smoke gunner carted away. ASP Casmir and his AK-47 rifle is missing. Other members of his team have returned to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical care,” the statement said.
A manhunt has been launched to locate the missing officer, ASP Casmir, and recover his rifle, the police said.
