The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a commercial bus after they allegedly assaulted police officers, knocked down an operative and briefly made away with an AK-47 rifle during an attempted arrest in Enugu.
The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. on July 9 at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road, according to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
Police said operatives attached to the Distress Response Squad intercepted a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus following reports that its driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty.
According to the police, the driver initially pretended to stop but suddenly accelerated in an attempt to escape, knocking down one of the operatives in the process. During the incident, the officer’s AK-47 rifle became entangled with the moving vehicle and was dragged away.
The suspects reportedly abandoned the rifle at the IMT Bus Stop along the same road before fleeing. Police later recovered the firearm and its ammunition intact.
The injured officer was taken to a hospital, where he received treatment and was subsequently discharged.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, ordered a full-scale investigation and directed security operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects for prosecution.
He also urged the driver and conductor to surrender to the nearest police station, warning that assaulting or obstructing law enforcement officers carrying out their lawful duties constitutes a serious criminal offence.
