Gunmen Attack Police Station in Abia, Two Officers Dead

Two police officers were killed on Saturday in Abia State when gunmen attacked a police station in Aba, the main city in the state.

Reports say the assailants struck the police facility around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Residents told us that the attackers started shooting as soon as they arrived at the station. They also used explosives that damaged parts of the building.

The gunmen set a police van on fire and destroyed a Toyota car, a power generator, and other items inside the station.

Police Response

Maureen Chinaka, the police spokesperson in Abia State, confirmed the attack and the deaths in a statement on Saturday.

Ms Chinaka, who is a deputy superintendent of police, said the incident happened at 2:26 a.m. in Urratta-Eziukwu Area, which is in Aba South Local Government Area.

“At about 02:26hrs, the hoodlums attacked the division with explosives, resulting in a fire that damaged part of the building and the divisional patrol van.

“Sadly, two senior police officers lost their lives, while three inspectors sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention,” she said.

She clarified that, against some claims, the attackers did not take any firearms or ammunition during the raid.

Ms Chinaka added that in response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Wilfred Afolabi, has led an operational team made up of tactical units to the scene.

“The team combed the surrounding area and restored calm. They are continuing with security operations and monitoring to catch the attackers,” she said.

The spokesperson noted that Mr Afolabi condemned the attack and promised to find the assailants.

The commissioner stated that the police in the state will use all necessary resources to identify and track down the killers.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased officers.

He urged residents to stay calm and vigilant, and to help the police with any information that could support the investigation.

“Information can be reported at the nearest police station or through suggestion boxes and the contact details of the DPOs provided at police divisions,” he said, sharing some mobile numbers for those with information.

Uncommon Attack

This latest attack is the first of its kind in the state in a long time.

Like other areas in the South-east, attacks on police facilities have decreased a lot in recent years.

Previously, the region saw many attacks often linked to the banned group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

However, IPOB, which seeks to separate the South-east and South-south from Nigeria, has denied involvement in these attacks.

A recent special report showed that attacks and killings in the South-east have dropped by 50 percent since the arrest of a controversial Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa, in Finland in 2025.

So far, no group has taken responsibility for the deadly attack in Abia State.