The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the death of two officers following an attack on a Police Distress Response Squad (DRS) team along Agbani Road, Enugu, late on Wednesday, January 15, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the officers sustained severe gunshot injuries after suspected IPOB/ESN subversive elements opened fire on the police team without provocation.
The attackers were said to have launched the assault suddenly, prompting the operatives to return fire. The police response reportedly forced the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. However, during the exchange, the operational vehicle of the team caught fire.
The injured officers were immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment but were later confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, has ordered an intensified manhunt for the fleeing suspects. He directed tactical and intelligence units to deploy all available resources and leverage actionable intelligence to sustain the ongoing trail, ensuring the assailants are tracked down and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, a Lexus 330 Jeep allegedly snatched by the criminals before the attack—and used during the assault—has been recovered by police operatives. The vehicle was reportedly found with multiple bullet holes consistent with the gunfight.
CP Giwa appealed to residents with credible information to assist the investigation by volunteering details that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects. He assured the public that the Command remains “resolute and committed” to preventing violent criminal groups from evading justice.
PACESETTER reports that the attack has come as a surprise to the people of Enugu who had enjoyed relative security following the deployment of the Distress Response Squad (DRSl), day and night vision cameras, drones and a functional command and control center by the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah.