Jelili Gbadamosi
The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus accused of assaulting police officers, knocking down an operative and briefly making away with an AK-47 rifle during a dramatic escape.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on July 9 at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu.
According to him, operatives of the Distress Response Squad were responding to a report that the suspects had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty when they intercepted and flagged down the commercial bus.
However, rather than surrender, the driver allegedly slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to flee, knocking down one of the operatives in the process.
The officer’s AK-47 rifle reportedly became entangled with the vehicle and was dragged away as the suspects sped off.
Police said that during the ensuing chase, the suspects threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along the same road before escaping. The weapon and its ammunition were later recovered intact.
Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, has ordered a comprehensive investigation and directed officers to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects, while also urging them to voluntarily surrender.
He further warned members of the public against assaulting or obstructing law enforcement officers in the discharge of their duties, stressing that such acts constitute serious criminal offences punishable under the law.
