No fewer than five gunmen were reportedly killed by the police at Ishieke, Ebonyi Local government Area of Ebonyi State.

The gunmen who stormed the police station around 9 pm on Wednesday, shot sporadically into the air causing panic around the community which led to residents scampering for safety.

An eyewitness told newsmen that the police operatives on ground, engaged the gunmen in a gun battle which lasted for over 30 minutes in front of the station, before other security operatives arrived for defence.

A viral video circulating on social media on Thursday morning, showed the number of suspected persons shot dead, linking them to some of the attackers.

This, followed after the lshieke police Division came under heavy attack by the gunmen on Wednesday night.

It was gathered that the incident started around 9:30 pm with heavy shootings, forcing residents of the area into hiding.

A viral video clip showed some of the dead unknown gunmen in a car.

One of the sources, Mr Tony Nwori said the gunmen arrived at the police station with two cars and started shooting sporadically in the air.

He said the gunmen engaged in a gun duel with the policemen on duty in front of the station for over 30 minutes, before other security operatives came for reinforcement.

According to another source, the situation later drew the attention of more security operatives, including the Army, who came in their numbers to apprehend the hoodlums.

The source said, “they continued shooting sporadically on the air while moving to Odomoke Ishieke market along Nwiboko Obodo road in Ebonyi Council Area”.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu’s phone number was out of reach as at the time of filling the report.