Police have launched a manhunt for gunmen who attacked a patrol van in the Ngbo-Effium axis in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Thursday leading to the death of an officer.

Another officer was also injured by the gunmen who engaged the police team in a gun duel, spokesperson for Ebonyi Command, Joshua Ukandu said in a statement on Friday in Abakaliki, capital of the state.

“On 01/02/2024 at about 11:00 am, Operatives of the Command on patrol along Ngbo-Effium Road were attacked by armed hoodlums using an Ash coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number unknown.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo immediately dispatched tactical teams of the command to the scene.

“The team are on the trail of the hoodlums. Meanwhile, calm and normalcy have been restored to the area,” he said.

“The CP is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals of the State to avail the Command with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums while assuring them of the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the State,” he added.