Armed men suspected to be militants launched a deadly attack on police operatives at the Obehie boundary between Rivers and Abia states in the early hours of Thursday, killing two officers of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

According to a police situation report, the incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. when over 20 gunmen, arriving in three SUVs concealed behind long trucks, opened fire on CTU operatives stationed at a sandbag checkpoint.

“The CTU Commander Base 24 Aba reported that today at about 0120hrs date, armed men suspected to be militants numbering over twenty (20) in three SUVs concealed behind long trucks with sophisticated weapons attacked his men who were in their buffer sand bags at Obehie nipping point,” it said.

The assailants reportedly used sophisticated weapons during the assault.

According to the report, the operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat, with some believed to have sustained severe bullet wounds.

However, two CTU officers, Inspector Ishaya Audu and Inspector Anthony Emmanuel, were killed in the exchange, and the assailants took away their rifles.

The attackers’ vehicles were riddled with bullets during the clash.

The report said tactical teams have since been deployed to the area to reinforce security, comb the surroundings, and recover the stolen rifles, as well as any wounded or dead attackers.

The remains of the slain officers have been evacuated to Euro Allied Mortuary on Port Harcourt Road, Aba, for preservation, according to the report.

Police authorities in Abia State confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down those behind the attack.