Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of two Chinese Nationals and one Nigerian Police officer on Friday evening at Uturu, a University town in the Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State that is very close to Okigwe area of Imo State after the gunmen ambushed the Chinese construction workers and their police escorts, with no group claiming responsibility for the attacks, but, one of the Biafra armed groups, the Biafra Liberation Army, BLA in a video posted online a few minutes ago, noted that they are currently in a heavy gun battle with men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, at Okigwe forest, with the videos showing military helicopter and armoured tanks.

The BLA had earlier posted on Friday night after the killing of the Chinese nationals that they received intelligent information that the Nigeria soldiers will invade Okigwe on Saturday.

According to the armed group; “the Biafra Defense Council wishes to alert Biafrans in Okigwe State of an imminent invasion of the towns and villages in Okigwe by the Nigerian military, which they consider a terrorist force, at any moment.

All citizens in and around Okigwe should remain vigilant and exercise heightened security awareness. The third Division of the Biafra Liberation Army is prepared to confront them”.

On Saturday evening, the Biafra armed group published video recordings of Nigeria soldiers armoured tanks and helicopter hovering and entering a forest, said, they are in a gun battle with the Nigeria Soldiers.

SaharaReporters reported on Saturday evening that two Chinese expatriates and a police inspector were killed in a deadly ambush by unidentified gunmen in Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State,  according to the state police command that confirmed the incident.

“The victims were identified as Mr Quan and Mr Cai, both Chinese expatriates, and Inspector Audu Saidu, one of their police escorts.

The attack occurred on Friday, April 4, 2025, around 5:30pm., while the victims were en route to their company site at Agukwu-Amaya in the Ndundu community.

It was learnt that the assailants opened fire on the convoy, killing the three victims and carting away Inspector Saidu’s rifle.

In a statement issued by the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the command confirmed that a joint rescue operation involving the police, military, and other security agencies successfully rescued four Chinese expatriates and two police officers.

The statement reads in part; “The Abia State Police Command, in collaboration with the military and other sister security agencies, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Uturu, has successfully rescued four Chinese expatriates and two escort police officers.

“This followed a distress report received on 04 April 2025 at about 17:30 hours, that unidentified armed men had ambushed and attacked a group of Chinese expatriates and their police escorts while they were en route to their company site located at Agukwu-Amaya, Ndundu Community, Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area.

“Tragically, during the attack, the manager, Mr Quan (male), his colleague Mr Cai (male), and Inspector Audu Saidu (one of the escort officers) were killed. The assailants also carted away the Inspector Saidu’s rifle.

“Upon receiving the information, operatives from Abia State Command, in a joint operation with the military and other sister agencies, launched a search mission.

As a result, three Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt, while one sustained injuries. Inspector Uba Ahmed, who was also rescued, suffered gunshot injury on his leg.

Both the injured officer and the expatriate are currently receiving treatment and responding to treatment at FMC Abakaliki.

“Today 05 April 2025, tactical team operatives of the command, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), visited the crime scene as part of the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Through collaborative action involving the police, the military, and local community members, Inspector Ijeagwa Friday was also rescued unhurt.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, has assured the good people of Abia State that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be brought to justice.

He urged residents to remain security conscious, go about their lawful activities without fear, and support the police by reporting any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activities to the nearest Police Station Or call the following Command’s emergency lines”, the Abia State police command stated according to SaharaReporters.