Five police officers were killed in the early hours of Friday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Also killed were two suspected prostitutes who were said to be returning to their respective homes in the area.
According to sources in the area, the unfortunate incident occurred around 5am at Ebyia bridge, along Hilltop/Nwoke road.
It was gathered that the massacre of the said officers and prostitutes occurred close to a Gas station in the area.
A resident, Mrs. Ngozi (surname withheld) disclosed that the assailants were allegedly returning from operation when they opened fire on the officers.
“My dear our area has become a hit zone for hoodlums, just this morning we heard another incident that some policemen were killed by suspected armed robbers at Hill-Top road near the gas station.
“And you know that similar incident happened at the same spot last year where some police officers were also killed by armed gang.
“Some of the slain officers in last year’s attack are yet to be buried and now another six policemen have lost their lives in same manner, including two girls just this morning.
“Those two ladies were said to girlfriends of the slain officers while some claimed that they were prostitutes who were returning home,” she stated.
Following the incident, Ebonyi State Police Command led by CP. Augustina Ogbodo mounted a police checkpoint near the said Gas station, to forestall further attacks by the hoodlums.
The State Police Command has yet to make an official statement regarding the incident by press time.
