Tragedy struck in Abia State on Friday as two Chinese expatriates and a police escort were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in the Uturu area of Isuikwuato Local Government Area.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the police, four other Chinese nationals and two police officers were successfully rescued in a joint operation involving the police, military, and other sister security agencies. The swift response was coordinated under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Uturu.
The spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, revealed that the command received a distress call on April 4, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m., reporting that a group of Chinese workers and their police escorts had come under attack while traveling to their worksite in Agukwu-Amaya, a community in Uturu.
During the assault, two Chinese nationals, identified as Mr. Quan and Mr. Cai, were fatally shot alongside a police officer, Inspector Audu Saidu. The attackers also made away with Inspector Saidu’s service rifle.
In response, a coordinated search and rescue operation was immediately launched. Three Chinese expatriates were safely recovered without injuries, while another was found with minor wounds. Additionally, Inspector Uba Ahmed, who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg, was rescued and is currently receiving medical attention alongside the injured expatriate at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abakaliki.
Inspector Ijeagwa Friday, another member of the escort team, was also recovered unharmed during the operation, which included efforts by local community members working alongside security operatives.
A tactical team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) visited the scene of the attack on April 5 as part of ongoing efforts to gather intelligence and pursue the assailants.
Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, condemned the attack in strong terms and assured residents that those responsible would be tracked down and prosecuted.
He called on the people of Abia State to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious persons or movements in their communities. He further emphasized the command’s commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order across the state.
