Tension and grief have reportedly gripped parts of Aba, Abia State, following a deadly early-morning attack on the Uratta-Eziukwu Police Division, where unidentified gunmen killed two senior police officers and injured three others.
The attack occurred at about 2:26 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, when the assailants reportedly stormed the police facility and launched an assault involving explosives and gunfire.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the attack triggered a fire which damaged parts of the divisional headquarters and a police patrol vehicle.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka. two senior police officers lost their lives during the attack, while three police inspectors sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
The attack reportedly caused significant damage within the police facility. Reports indicate that a patrol van was set ablaze, while other vehicles, a Toyota vehicle, a power generator, and other property were also damaged.
Amid reports surrounding the incident, the Abia State Police Command clarified that no firearms or ammunition were carted away by the attackers.
The clarification is significant because attacks on police formations are often accompanied by attempts to seize weapons and ammunition. In this case, however, the Command said there was no loss of firearms or ammunition during the incident.
Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi. personally led an operational team comprising tactical units to the area.
The security team reportedly combed the surrounding environment as authorities moved to restore normalcy and track down those responsible.
The Police Command said intensified security operations, intelligence gathering and monitoring had commenced, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
CP Afolabi condemned the attack and assured the public that the Command would deploy the necessary operational and intelligence resources to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He also commiserated with the families of the fallen officers and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist the investigation.
Following the attack, Abia State Governor Alex Otti visited the affected police facility and the injured officers receiving treatment in hospital.
Reports indicate that the governor pledged to cover the medical expenses of the injured officers.
The attack has once again raised concerns over the vulnerability of security formations in parts of the South-East, particularly the ability of armed assailants to penetrate a police facility in the early hours of the morning.
As of the latest reports, no group had publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, while no arrests had been officially announced. The identities of the deceased officers had also not been publicly disclosed by the Police Command.
The incident remains under investigation as security agencies intensify efforts to establish the identity, motive and whereabouts of the attackers.
The latest development has further heightened calls for improved security around police formations and stronger intelligence-driven operations to prevent similar attacks and protect officers who remain on the frontline of internal security.
9NEWS NIGERIA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more verified information emerges.*
