Bus Driver, Conductor Knock Down Officer, Snatch Police AK-47 in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has begun a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus accused of assaulting police officers, attempting murder, and snatching a service rifle.

Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, noting that the suspects are wanted for conspiracy, serious assault, dangerous driving, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of a police rifle.

The incident reportedly occurred around 1:20 p.m. on July 9 at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu. According to Ndukwe, operatives of the Distress Response Squad intercepted the bus after receiving reports that the driver and conductor had attacked a traffic officer on duty.

“Rather than submitting to arrest, the driver deceptively slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape. In the process, he knocked down one of the operatives and dragged away the officer’s AK-47 rifle, which was entangled with the vehicle,” the statement said.

During the chase, the suspects allegedly threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop before speeding off. The weapon was later recovered intact with its ammunition.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, has ordered a full investigation and intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects. He urged them to surrender voluntarily and warned against misleading narratives about the incident.

Giwa further cautioned members of the public against obstructing or assaulting police officers, stressing that such acts are serious criminal offences that will be prosecuted under the law.

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