Gunmen have killed two Chinese nationals and a police inspector in Uturu, a community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria’s violence-plagued South-east region.

The attack, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, saw the assailants ambush a convoy transporting the Chinese expatriates, killing Inspector Audu Saidu and abducting two other police officers along with four Chinese workers.

Sources confirmed that the victims were en route to a company owned by the Chinese nationals in Agukwu-Amaya, Ndundu Community, when they were attacked.

Abia State Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the slain Chinese nationals as Mr. Quan and Mr. Cai. She stated that the attackers also seized the inspector’s rifle before fleeing.

Following a distress call, a joint security team—comprising police, military, and other agencies—engaged the gunmen in a shootout, leading to the deaths of the victims. However, the abducted officers and four Chinese nationals were later rescued.

“Three Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt, while one sustained injuries,” Chinaka said. “Inspector Uba Ahmed was rescued with a gunshot wound to his leg, and Inspector Ijeagwa Friday was later found unharmed through collaborative efforts with the military and local community.”

The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Abia’s Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, vowed that the perpetrators would be apprehended and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

Deteriorating Security in Nigeria’s South-East

The attack highlights the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s South-east, where armed groups frequently target security personnel, government facilities, and foreign workers. While no group has claimed responsibility for the latest violence, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)—a secessionist movement—has been accused of involvement in past attacks, though it denies these allegations.

This incident adds to growing concerns over Nigeria’s security crisis, with rising kidnappings, armed assaults, and communal clashes undermining stability across multiple regions. The government faces mounting pressure to curb the violence, particularly as attacks on foreign nationals threaten economic partnerships and investor confidence.