DPO Killed In Gun Battle With Bandits In Imo

The Divisional Police Officer of Omuma police Division in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State lost his life during a fierce gun duel on Monday night between unknown gunmen and men of the Police force, with six of the bandits also losing their lives.

At least three vehicles were recovered from the bandits as police arrested eleven suspects in respect to the attack.

Michael Abattam, Police Public Relations Officer for the state confirmed the development, stating that “at about 16:20 hours on July 26, armed bandits in a convoy of three vehicles were repelled in Omuma Town in Oru East LGA of Imo State”

Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Abang of Omuma Area Command, also stated that, “based on information received that bandits were sighted moving in convoy into Omuma Town, he immediately alerted the ever-active tactical teams of the command who swung into action, ambushed and launched a surprise attack on the convoy of the bandits which resulted to the neutralisation of six of the bandits while eleven of them were arrested to the station.

“Unfortunately, we lost the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor, who paid the supreme price. The teams later recovered the three vehicles abandoned by the bandits to the station which includes, two Toyota Highlander SUV vehicles with registration numbers Abia MBL 517 AT and LAGOS , JJJ 984 EL respectively and a milk colour unregistered Lexus Jeep to the station.

“Presently, the command’s tactical teams and Special forces led by ACP Evans E.Shem are combing the bush for possible arrest of the bandits that fled into the bush.”

He also disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, had warned that bandits with a penchant for sporadic incursion from neighboring states should keep off the state or face dire consequences.

Omuma, the hometown of the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma, had experienced gunmen’s invasion, including the killing of no fewer than seven security operatives, attacking of police formation, and razing of the governor’s residence.