A deadly ambush in Abia State, Nigeria, has claimed the lives of three individuals, including two Chinese nationals and a police officer. The attack targeted a convoy transporting Chinese expatriates and their police escorts to a mining site.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, April 4, near the Huan Cheng Mining Quarry in the Ndundu community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area. Heavily armed assailants opened fire on the convoy, killing Mr. Quan and Mr. Cai, both Chinese workers, as well as Inspector Audu Saidu, a police officer attached to the 32 PMF in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The attackers also seized Saidu’s service AK-47 rifle before fleeing the scene.
“It was a coordinated ambush. The gunmen struck quickly, killed the two Chinese men and the police officer, and disappeared with his rifle before help could arrive,” a source involved in the rescue operation revealed.
Despite the chaos, security operatives managed to rescue three other Chinese nationals—Mr. Roger Tan (60), Mr. Yu Shangyu (56), and Mr. Zhan Weibin (59)—who escaped unhurt. However, two others, Inspector Uba Ahmed and Mr. Huang Lijun, sustained injuries. Ahmed suffered gunshot wounds, while Lijun was injured by a machete. Both are receiving treatment at Master Energy Hospital in Uturu.
One police officer, Inspector Igagwu, remains missing. Security forces are actively searching the area for the missing officer and the perpetrators of the attack.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at Marist Cottage Mortuary in Hopeville, Uturu. As of now, the Abia State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
