The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus over the alleged assault and attempted murder of police officers, as well as the snatching of a police rifle.
This was made known in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Sunday.
Ndukwe said the suspects are wanted for conspiracy, serious assault, dangerous driving, attempted murder and snatching of a police rifle.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 1:20pm on July 9 at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu.
Ndukwe said operatives of the Distress Response Squad acted after receiving information from the command’s control room that the driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty.
The operatives intercepted and flagged down the commercial bus, but the driver allegedly attempted to evade arrest.
“However, rather than submitting to arrest, the driver deceptively slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape.
“In the process, he knocked down one of the operatives and dragged away the officer’s AK-47 rifle, which was entangled with the vehicle.
“During the ensuing pursuit, the suspects threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along the same road before speeding off. The rifle was immediately recovered intact, with its ammunition,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, has ordered a comprehensive investigation and intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects.
He also urged the driver and conductor to voluntarily surrender for investigation, stating that all lawful measures were being deployed to apprehend them.
The commissioner further advised members of the public to disregard what he described as misleading narratives surrounding the incident and warned against assaulting or obstructing police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties.
He said such acts are serious criminal offences and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.