Three individuals have been apprehended by the Enugu Police Command in connection with the reported killing of two police officers and three members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group during an ambush in the Igga community, situated in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA).

According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the command, the attack, characterized as “unprovoked” and “gruesome,” was allegedly carried out by suspected criminals within the community last Friday evening.

Ndukwe further explained that on the same day, a security team comprising three police officers and four members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group were providing security for a group of investors visiting from Lagos, who were on a tour of a proposed agricultural investment site.

“However, the team was ambushed and attacked by a large group of the criminal elements, who opened fire on them,” said the police spokesperson.

He said the police team mobilised to the scene and rescued an assistant superintendent of police, a neighbourhood watch operative and three investor team members.

“But the eventually murdered members of the team went missing and unaccounted for.

“However, in the course of a full-scale investigation, a search and manhunt operation launched thereafter, three males suspected to have masterminded the attack were arrested.

“Their revelations during interrogation led to the discovery and recovery of the slain two policemen and three neighbourhood watch group members in the forest on May 4, 2024,” he said.

The spokesman said their lifeless bodies were taken to the hospital, confirmed dead by doctors and deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Mr Ndukwe said that the state commissioner of police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, described the murder of the security personnel as inconceivable, cruel and unwarranted.

“The commissioner has also advised members of the Igga community, particularly the criminal elements directly involved in the unthinkable and wanton act of murdering serving police officers and others, to voluntarily surrender themselves to the police without delay,” he added.