Gunmen on Thursday evening attacked the country home of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Frank Mba, at Ezimo community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The assailants, suspected to be herders, struck around 7 pm, killing a police officer on guard duty. Witnesses said the attackers, who were heavily armed, attempted to force their way into the compound but met resistance from the policeman.
According to a community source, the officer was shot dead after raising the alarm. His rifle was taken before the gunmen fled into the bush.
Residents said the same group might have been responsible for the killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, who was murdered a day later at Eha-Ndiagu, a nearby community in Nsukka Local Government Area.
“It is not clear whether their target was the DIG’s mother, who lives there, but these kidnappers have been operating in the area for some time. They have kidnapped people close to the house on at least two occasions,” a source said.
Another resident alleged that security in the area had been weak, adding that sand and gravel miners often sight the marauders in the bushes.
The killing has heightened tension in Ezimo and neighbouring communities, where kidnapping has become recurrent.
Community members dismissed speculation of local involvement, insisting that “nobody from Ezimo community will nurse evil against DIG Mba. He is our pride.”
When contacted, the spokesman of the Enugu Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comments.