Two Inspectors Shot Dead, Rifles Carted Away, Vehicle Set Ablaze as Gunmen Attack Police Patrol in Enugu

Two police inspectors were killed on Saturday night after gunmen attacked a patrol team in Enugu metropolis and set their patrol vehicle on fire, according to police sources.

The attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m. along Zik Avenue, near Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in the Uwani area of Enugu. The officers, identified as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Anayo Ede, were attached to the Distress Response Squad (DRS) of the Enugu State Police Command.

Police sources said the inspectors were on routine patrol duties when they were ambushed by armed men believed to be about six in number. The attackers reportedly arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV.

A senior police officer familiar with the incident said the patrol team was not operating a checkpoint at the time of the attack.

“They were on a visiting round, which is a routine patrol activity to assess officers deployed at strategic locations,” the source said. “They were taken completely by surprise.”

According to the source, the patrol team had briefly parked near a pharmacy close to Keystone Bank on Zik Avenue. One of the inspectors had stepped out of the vehicle to purchase medication when the gunmen opened fire.

“Both inspectors were shot at close range and died instantly,” the officer said.

The attackers also shot at the fuel tank of the police Hilux patrol vehicle, causing it to catch fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed.

Police sources further disclosed that three AK-47 rifles, each loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, were taken during the attack.

Inspector Valentine Iheme was said to be from Abia State, while Inspector Anayo Ede hailed from Ugbawka community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Another source said the team leader survived because he was in plain clothes at the time and had stepped away from the vehicle to make purchases.

“People around did not know he was a police officer, which likely saved his life,” the source said.

While the motive for the attack remains unclear, police authorities believe it may have been a targeted operation.

“We cannot draw conclusions yet,” the senior officer said. “Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify and arrest those responsible.”

In response to the incident, the Enugu State Police Command has reportedly deployed tactical units across the metropolis and surrounding areas to track the suspects, recover the stolen weapons, and prevent further attacks.