Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), have killed two police officers in a violent assault on a checkpoint in Enugu State.
Details of the Deadly Checkpoint Attack
The incident occurred on the night of Thursday, January 15, 2026, along the Agbani Road area of the state. According to the Enugu State Police Command, the assailants opened fire without warning on operatives of the Police Distress Response Squad who were manning the checkpoint.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the attack in an official statement released on Friday, January 16, 2026. He stated that the police team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee the scene with gunshot injuries.
"The criminal elements suddenly opened fire on the police team without provocation. The operatives responded promptly, forcing the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries," Ndukwe said.
Aftermath and Police Response
Tragically, two police officers sustained critical injuries during the exchange of fire and were later pronounced dead at a hospital. Furthermore, the police operational vehicle at the location was set ablaze during the confrontation.
In the aftermath, police authorities recovered a Lexus 330 SUV that was used by the attackers. The vehicle, which had been reportedly snatched earlier, bore multiple bullet holes from the intense shootout.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Giwa, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the attack. He also announced that security patrols have been intensified across the state to forestall any further incidents and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
A Pattern of Violence Against Security Personnel
This attack adds to a worrying trend of targeted violence against security forces in the region. It recalls a recent incident where gunmen ambushed police officers along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road, leading to the death of Inspector Christian Gbaratee and the disappearance of Inspector Ekoro Isong.
The assault in Enugu also echoes a separate deadly attack on a Nigeria Immigration Service checkpoint in Kebbi State in November, where three officers were killed by suspected terrorists.
The Enugu State Police Command has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies, assuring the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order.
