Ikiriki Police Station in Enugu South Deserted Amid Persistent Armed Attacks

Law enforcement officers have vacated the Ikiriki Police Station located in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State after enduring a series of violent assaults by armed assailants. These attacks resulted in fatalities among police personnel and the theft of firearms from the station’s armory, rendering the facility unsafe for continued operation.

Forced Evacuation and Operational Consolidation

Investigations by SaharaReporters reveal that officers stationed at Ikiriki were compelled to abandon the post and consolidate their activities with the Uwani Police Division. This decision followed relentless attacks by suspected gunmen spanning from 2019 through 2021, which severely compromised the station’s security and operational capacity.

Atmosphere of Fear and Long-Term Desertion

Security insiders disclosed on Thursday that the station has remained unoccupied since late 2021, coinciding with a peak in violent incidents attributed to unidentified gunmen across the South-East geopolitical zone. Despite recent improvements in the overall security landscape within Enugu metropolis, the Ikiriki station has yet to be reactivated.

Visible Signs of Neglect and Community Concerns

A recent site inspection by SaharaReporters highlighted unmistakable evidence of prolonged neglect. The compound is now engulfed by dense vegetation, with sections of the boundary fence collapsed and the main gate partially broken, illustrating the extent of abandonment.

Local residents voiced apprehension over the station’s continued closure, emphasizing that its absence has significantly diminished the area’s security visibility. Many recalled that Ikiriki once served as a vital security hub before the surge in violent attacks necessitated the withdrawal of police personnel.

Historical Attacks and Security Implications

Records indicate that one of the most severe assaults occurred in 2019 when gunmen invaded the station, resulting in the death of at least one officer and injuries to several others. Subsequent raids led to the looting of weapons from the armory, raising concerns about the potential escalation of criminal activities fueled by the stolen arms.

Official Silence Amid Security Challenges

Efforts to obtain comments from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to multiple phone calls or text messages requesting explanations for the station’s abandonment, despite prior assurances of enhanced security measures within the state capital.

Contextualizing the Security Situation

Enugu State, like many parts of Nigeria’s South-East, has grappled with a rise in attacks by unknown gunmen over recent years. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, violent incidents in the region increased by approximately 25% between 2019 and 2023, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies. The desertion of strategic posts such as Ikiriki Police Station exemplifies the difficulties in maintaining law enforcement presence in volatile areas.

Community leaders have called for renewed government intervention to restore the station and bolster security infrastructure, emphasizing that a visible police presence is crucial to deterring criminal elements and reassuring residents.