The Abia State Government has confirmed that no security operatives were killed during a gun battle with unidentified gunmen in Aba early Monday morning. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Okey Kanu, announced this at a press briefing following the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Umuahia.
Kanu detailed the events, stating, “Earlier today, some criminal elements operating in three vehicles engaged in a gunfight with military personnel and security operatives at Umuode Tonimas Junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.”
The armed assailants then moved to Umuojima in the Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, where they again encountered military personnel. Kanu noted, “In the ensuing gunfight, the criminals were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security operatives, resulting in one of them being neutralized. The others escaped with bullet wounds in a Lexus SUV.”
Security operatives are actively pursuing the fleeing criminals. The government has received credible intelligence indicating that these criminal elements aim to cause chaos in Abia, and Kanu emphasized the administration’s commitment to preventing such activities.
He urged Abia residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or security agency. Kanu reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy for criminal activities, stressing their determination to maintain peace and protect the state’s progress over the past 13 months.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander McDonald Uba (rtd), also confirmed no security personnel casualties in the incident. He attributed this to revised security strategies ordered by the governor. “The governor has given marching orders that we will no longer concede to these criminal elements. Today’s events demonstrate our revised strategy, and going forward, it will be a different ballgame,” Uba said.
One of the assailants was killed in the gun duel, and security operatives have seized the Toyota Highlander Jeep used by the criminals. Uba added that the other assailants, who escaped with gunshot wounds, are still being pursued, and credible intelligence suggests that another assailant has died. “We will close in on them before the day ends. This shows that it is no longer business as usual,” he stated.
