Nigeria, April 11 -- Gunmen on Thursday attacked a police checkpoint along the Abakaliki-Enugu Highway, killing a police officer.

The gunmen also set a police patrol van ablaze.

The incident happened at Ishieke junction on the outskirts of Abakaliki town in Ebonyi State.

Residents of the area told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen engaged the police in a shootout during which one policeman was killed.

The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack.

"I just got information that there was an attack at that point but I don't have any other information," Mr Ukandu, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

"One officer was fatally wounded and a patrol vehicle set ablaze. I will issue an official statement soon," he to...