The police command in Imo says its operatives killed three gunmen who attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office in Owerri.

Two others, the command revealed, were apprehended, the command’s spokesman Mike Abbatam told Peoples Gazette. 

“It was a foiled attempt as our gallant men neutralised three of the attackers and arrested two of them. Several of them escaped with bullet injuries, and as I speak to you, we are still combing the bushes through which they escaped,” Mr Abbatam told The Gazette on Monday via the telephone. 

Mr Abbatam added that fire bombs, AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns and three vehicles were seized from the attackers.

“We recovered six guns: three AK-47 rifles, three pump-action guns, three IEDs, four petrol bombs, among other ammunition,” stated the police officer. 

The attack came barely eight days after an INEC facility was attacked in the Orlu local government area of the state, signalling intensified efforts by non-state actors to undermine the 2023 general elections in the South-East.