The state commissioner of police urged the driver and conductor to surrender themselves for investigation, warning that all lawful measures were being deployed to apprehend them.

In this file photo, the crest of the Nigeria Police Force is seen on a police officer’s uniform. PHOTO: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV.

The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus over their alleged involvement in the assault of police officers, dangerous driving, attempted murder and the snatching of a police rifle.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, the incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu.

The police said the suspects allegedly assaulted a traffic officer before fleeing the scene.

According to the force, operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) acted on information received from the Control Room and intercepted the commercial bus.

However, rather than submit to arrest, the police said the driver allegedly slowed the vehicle momentarily before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape.

“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 had become entangled with the vehicle,” the statement read.

The police added that during the ensuing chase, the suspects allegedly threw the rifle out of the vehicle at the IMT Bus Stop along Abakaliki Road before speeding away.

“The rifle was immediately recovered intact, with its ammunition,” the police added.

The force said the suspects are being sought for alleged offences, including conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, dangerous driving, attempted murder and the snatching of a police rifle.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, ordered a comprehensive investigation and directed operatives to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects.

He also urged the driver and conductor to surrender themselves for investigation, warning that all lawful measures were being deployed to apprehend them.

The commissioner further appealed to members of the public to disregard what he described as misleading narratives surrounding the incident and warned against assaulting or obstructing police officers while carrying out their lawful duties.