Two police officers were shot dead on Thursday night when gunmen attacked a checkpoint along Agbani Road in Enugu, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed.
The police said the attack happened on January 15, 2026, when armed men suspected to be linked to IPOB and its Eastern Security Network wing opened fire on officers of the Distress Response Squad during routine duty.
According to the command, the gunmen struck without warning, leading to a gun battle that forced the attackers to flee. During the clash, a police patrol vehicle was set on fire, while two officers were badly injured and rushed to hospital, where they later died.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered an immediate manhunt and directed tactical and intelligence teams to track down those responsible. A Lexus 330 vehicle believed to have been used by the attackers was later recovered with bullet damage.
Security patrols have since been increased in the area as investigations continue. The police appealed to residents to share useful information, assuring the public that informants would be protected as efforts continue to bring the attackers to justice.
