Abia State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two Chinese expatriates and a police escort officer following an ambush by unknown gunmen in Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State,
The tragic incident occurred on Friday night, April 4, 2025, when a group of Chinese nationals, accompanied by police escorts, were en route to their company’s mining site located at Agukwu-Amaya, Ndundu Community, Uturu.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the attackers, suspected to be heavily armed men, suddenly ambushed the convoy, opened fire on the occupants, and killed the site manager, Mr. Quan, his colleague Mr. Cai, and a police escort, Inspector Audu Saidu. The gunmen also made away with the rifle of the slain police officer.
Upon receiving a distress call, operatives of the Abia State Police Command, in collaboration with the military and other security agencies, swiftly mobilized and launched a rescue operation led by the Divisional Police Officer
During the operation, four Chinese expatriates were successfully rescued — three unhurt and one with injuries. Additionally, a police officer, Inspector Uba Ahmed, who sustained gunshot wounds, was also rescued. Both the injured officer and the expatriate are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Further search operations conducted on Saturday, April 5, 2025, led to the rescue of another missing police officer, Inspector Ijeagwa Friday, who was found unhurt.