Gunmen have invaded the Njaba divisional police headquarters in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria.
The criminals, operating in three all-terrain vehicles, invaded the police station on Sunday night and opened fire.
Police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye, announced this in a statement on Sunday evening.
Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said police officers, however, repelled the attack.
“In response, the ever-brave officers quickly took up defensive positions and engaged the attackers, resulting in the neutralization of three attackers.
“The remaining attackers, who suffered several gunshot wounds, fled into some nearby bushes,” he said.
The spokesman said police suspect the attackers are members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing, the Eastern Security Network.
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He said the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, was leading an operation to track down the fleeing thugs.
“Ongoing efforts are aimed at capturing those responsible and ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
According to police, a multipurpose machine gun, an AK-47 rifle and a Toyota Lexus 470, a Mercedes GLK and a Toyota Venza were recovered from the gunmen during the operation.
Police Commissioner Danjuma commended the officers for repelling the attack, Okoye said.
The Commissioner of Police has assured residents of Imo State of the commitment of the police to enhance internal security.
Worsening insecurity
As in other states in south-eastern Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed individuals.
Attacks typically target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
The latest attack came less than two weeks after gunmen attacked the Obowo Police Division headquarters in the Obowo Council Area of the state.
The Obowo attack, which took place on 4 September, resulted in the death of a police officer.
Barely 24 hours later, gunmen bombed the headquarters of the Oba police division in Anambra, another southeastern state.
Another police officer was killed in the attack, which occurred on September 2.
On the same day, gunmen attacked the headquarters of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area in Imo State, killing at least two people.
In late August, gunmen again attacked the headquarters of the Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra, another southeastern state.
In June, some armed persons attacked the same Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat.
The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which wants to separate the south-east and some parts of the south-south from Nigeria.