By Emmanuel Nduka
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command on Sunday killed no fewer than 17 persons linked with the killing of Ahmed Gulak, former aide to ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan
According to the command in a situation report update released hours after the murder of the top All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, on his way to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, the assailants were killed within the same vicinity in a gun duel.
The Situation Report (Sitrep) dated May 30, 2021 and tiitled Arrest/Death of killers of Ahmed Gulak In Imo state, detailed how a team of policemen responding to the incident, picked up the description of the gunmen from the driver conveying Gulak in the ill-fated trip.
The statement further described how the alleged assailants were traced to a local market where they had waylaid another vehicle from the north carrying bags of onions, and started distributing the contents to the locals.
On sighting the team of policemen, the statement continued, the gunmen opened fire and in the ensuing gun battle, seven of them were gunned down and in pursuit of other fleeing ones, their vehicles caught fire after being hit by a police bullet, burning the 10 occupants instantly.
“On 30/5/2021 Sequel to the killing of Ahmed Gulak by Some criminals who suddenly came out to block the Imo Airport road at Obiangwu Junction at Ngor~okpala LGA of Imo state.
“The Driver of the Vehicle conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport was immediately interviewed and he described the Vehicles the Hoodlums were using as One Toyota Camry 2005 Silver color, Toyota Sienna 1998 Model Gold Color, Toyota Hilux White color, Lexus RX 330 Gold Color.
“Police teams from the Special forces,PMF, IRT, IMO State Command Tactical Units who have all reached the Scene of the killing were directed to immediately Proceed on Patrol and look for those Vehicles.
“Fortunately at Afor Enyi Ogwgu junction in Same LGA the Police Teams came in contact with the Hoodlums with same Vehicles mentioned by the Driver, The Hoodlums have already confiscated a trailer loaded with Onions from the North and were busy sharing the onions to the local Population as they also took positions to Protect themselves and attack any incoming Security agents.
“The Hoodlums on sighting the Police teams immediately Opened fire on the teams and the gallant teams returned Fire and eventually fatally wounded 10 of the Hoodlums during the gun battle while others were pursued as they escaped with their vehicles. 3 of the Four Vehicles Toyota Sienna, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Camry use by the IPOB/ESN Terrorist for their Operation were Demobilized/Recovered and 7 of the Terrorist with bullet wounds were completely burnt down inside the Toyota Sienna and Hilux Vehicles that caught fire during the Gun battle. (Three) 3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms and 3 Operational Vehicles of the IPOB/ESN were recovered.
“Serious efforts in progress to trace and arrest several wounded IPOB/ESN Terrorist members who are hiding in the surrounding Forrest and villages. The 3 bodies of the IPOB/ESN Terrorist not burnt down were brought to the Police state Headquarters while efforts to recover the burnt bodies of the Hoodlums to the Police state HQ in Progress,” the statement read.
