*Untrue, Police clarifies

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen were said to have attacked the residence of Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Frank Mba, in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

Sources which gave out information on the attack, which was said to have occurred on Thursday evening around 7 pm, said it resulted in the death of a police officer who was guarding the house, SaharaReporters learned.

However, the Enugu State Police Command dismissed the story as untrue, saying that Mbah’s country home was not under any form of attacked and no kidnap attempt was made on his parents.

But, the community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, said the assailants, who were fully armed, tried to gain access to the house, but were resisted by the security guards.

A community source said, “when the security guards raised the alarm, the assailants killed him, collected his rifle, and disappeared into the bush.

“We suspect that it was the same assailants who killed a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, on Friday evening in Eha-Ndiagu, a neighbouring community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

“It is not clear whether the gunmen wanted to abduct the mother of the DIG, Mbah, but what I can tell you is that these kidnappers have been operating very close to Mba’s house. 

“They have successfully kidnapped people on two occasions, very close to the house, less than 500 metres from it. 

“There have been constant kidnapping activities around that area, and the perpetrators are believed to be Fulani. 

“But, they had not killed anyone until this recent incident; maybe it is because they were challenged. 

“Our people see those guys regularly; the people mining sand and gravel see them regularly, but you know we have a weak security system. 

“They just came and when the security guard, a policeman, who was killed, opened the gate, they shot him, and before the people around could raise the alarm, they had disappeared. 

“They just killed the security guard and collected his rifle. 

“Actually, it is not only one security guard who secures his house; I believe the other officers were absent during the attack. 

“The security operatives in the house did not anticipate anything.

“They collected the gun, and a Reverend Father was killed the next day along Eha-Ndiagu Road in the neighbouring community. 

“We believe that it is the same network of kidnappers that was operating within that axis. So, there are very serious security threats around those areas. There are marauders around those areas.

“You know, the police, in their way, after the attack, they saw someone who had gotten himself drunk passing, and they arrested him, saying that he might be among the assailants. 

“But we know the man, he is not one of the attackers, but they (policemen) must show that they are working,” another source said. 

“Nobody from Ezimo community will nurse evil against Frank Mba. He is our pride.”

Meanwhile, tensions are still high in the Ezimo community and other neighbouring communities following the attacks.

*Information untrue, says Police

CP, Giwa

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Command, has clarified news that the country home of the Deputy Inspector General, DIG, Frank Mbah was not attacked and no kidnap attempt was made on his parents.

The Command pointed out that there was an armed robbery attack in Ezimo, Mbah’s country home, but was quickly foiled through prompt intervention of personnel who were acting on distress call.

The police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, explained in a statement, that a police officer who participated in the operation sustained gun shot injury and later lost his life, adding that one of the hoodlums was arrested.

“The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the country home of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Frank Mba, in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area, was never attacked, and no attempt was made to kidnap his parents or relatives, as falsely alleged in a viral social media post.

“Contrary to the false report, on 18th September 2025, at about 8 p.m., police operatives on routine patrol within the Ezimo community promptly responded to a distress call and repelled an armed robbery attack. 

“Sadly, a police officer who sustained gunshot injuries during the ensuing shootout later died in the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

“Meanwhile, one male suspect has been arrested and is assisting the police in the on-going discreet investigation and manhunt for the fleeing suspects.”

As a result of the incident, “the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has urged operatives to sustain the lead already established towards apprehending the fleeing suspects. 

“He reiterates the unwavering commitment of the Command to combating isolated cases of violent crimes in Enugu State,” the statement noted.