By Florencemary Nwabueze

The Enugu State Police Command has launched a massive manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus, following a violent assault on police officers and the snatching of an AK-47 rifle on Thursday.

According to a statement signed by the commands public relations officer SP Daniel Ndukwe, the incident occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. on July 9, 2026, at All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road in Enugu.

Officers from the Command's Distress Response Squad (DRS) were dispatched to intercept a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus after receiving reports from the Control Room that the driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty.

When operatives flagged down the vehicle, the driver initially slowed down as if to comply before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to flee. During the escape attempt, the driver knocked down one of the operatives and dragged away the officer's AK-47 rifle, which had become entangled with the vehicle.

During the ensuing police pursuit, the suspects threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along the same road before speeding off. The rifle was immediately recovered intact with its ammunition.

Reacing to the incident, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered a comprehensive investigation and intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects.

"The driver and conductor to voluntarily present themselves to the Police for proper investigation, as every lawful measure is being deployed to apprehend them." CP Giwa warned

The police chief also urged the public to disregard misleading narratives surrounding the incident and cautioned against assaulting or obstructing police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties.

"Such acts are serious criminal offences that will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law," he stressed. He stated

The suspects face charges including conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, dangerous driving, attempted murder, and snatching of a police rifle.