Three officers of the Nigerian Police Force have been confirmed dead after a surprise attack by gunmen.

The gunmen launched an attack on Onueke police station in Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi state.

Two other officers were said to have sustained bullet wounds during the attack which occurred on Friday night.

The deceased were identified as two inspectors and a sergeant.

The attackers also reportedly carted away two AK 47 rifles from the police station.

Loveth Odah, police spokesperson of the state, who confirmed the incident, said the corpses of the slain officers had been deposited in a mortuary, while the two persons who sustained injuries are receiving treatment.

She said the command has launched a manhunt for the gunmen and urged anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums to reach out to the command.

“Yes, three policemen were killed in the attack,” Odah said.

“We don’t know the identity of the attackers yet; and we are calling on the general public to provide information to the police in order to hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”

Reacting, Stanley Okoroemegha, Ebonyi commissioner for internal security, said the government was saddened by the incident.