The Enugu State Police Command has initiated a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus, who are accused of assaulting police officers, attempting murder, and snatching a police rifle.
In a statement released on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that the suspects are wanted for conspiracy, grievous assault, dangerous driving, attempted murder, and the theft of a police firearm.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 1:20pm on July 9 at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu. Officers from the Distress Response Squad responded to a report that the driver and conductor had attacked a traffic police officer on duty. When the operatives intercepted the commercial bus, the driver initially slowed down as if to stop, but then suddenly accelerated in an attempt to flee, striking one of the officers in the process. During the chaos, the officer’s AK-47 rifle became entangled with the bus and was dragged away by the suspects.
As the pursuit continued, the suspects reportedly threw the rifle out of the vehicle at the IMT Bus Stop along the same road before speeding off. The police recovered the firearm and its ammunition intact.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation and intensified efforts to apprehend and prosecute the suspects. He also called on the driver and conductor to surrender themselves for investigation, emphasizing that all lawful means are being employed to ensure their arrest.
Commissioner Giwa advised the public to disregard misinformation about the incident and warned against assaulting or obstructing police officers in the performance of their duties, noting that such actions are serious criminal offences and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
