Blessing Iruoma, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of seven policeman by unknown gunmen in the state.
The Nigerian Xpress learned that the Policemen were killed Friday night at a checkpoint along Choba/Emohua road and Elimgbu, Rumuji police stations.
It was learnt that the bandits in a Hilux van killed two police officers on duty at the check point along Choba/Emohua road and burnt a vehicle belonging to one of the officers.
In a related development same Friday night, another group of gangs, attacked the Elimgbu Police Station, killed three officers. The bandits also attacked Rumuji police station where they killed two officers on duty and burnt a police patrol van.
It was further gathered that during a gun battle at Rumuji, two of the bandits were gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds.
Meanwhile, the state’s Police Command had confirmed the incidents.
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In a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, noted that seven officers were killed in the three attacks.
Omoni said, “The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the unprovoked and mindless attack on Policemen and vehicles.
“The incident which led to the death of seven Policemen occurred last night (Friday) at about 20:30hrs, where unknown gunmen driven in two branded Hilux vans, attacked the special check point at Choba bridge, where in a surprised attack, killed two Policemen on duty and set ablaze a private car belonging to one of the Policemen.
“A similar attack was launched at Rumuji Police Station by the same hoodlums who killed two Policemen on duty and burnt a Police patrol vehicle. However, a stiff resistance by the Police prevented the hoodlums from gaining access into the Police station. In the course of exchange of fire, two of the attackers were fatally wounded and died on the spot.
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“The third attack at Elimgbu Police Station was equally resisted by the Police, though three officers were killed in that attack but the serious fire engagement made them to abandon their bullet riddled Hilux van, while they escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds with a snatched Sienna bus.
“The continued engagement by the Police, also forced them to abandon the Sienna car they were using to escape at the Refinery junction, while their remnants again escaped with bullet wounds”.
Omoni disclosed that the corpses of the Policemen have been deposited at the mortuary, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka, has launched manhunt in a bid to arresting the culprits.
“In the meantime, the corpses of the fallen heroes have been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary, while the Commissioner of Police, CP. Eboka Friday, who led members of his management team and tactical Commanders to the respective scenes this morning for an on-the-spot assessment, has launched a serious manhunt for the preparators with a view to apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice.
“So far, the Command is relatively calm and the Commissioner of Police is currently in a security with his team, as security has been further strengthened in all the Police formations in the State, including other critical public and private infrastructure”.
Furthermore, the PPRO stated “It is pertinent to note, that in all three attacks carried out last night, no Police Station/formation was burnt. Regrettably, a total of five assault rifles were lost in the incident”
He advised the public to increase their security consciousness and report any person or persons with gun wounds to the nearest Police Station or call the following numbers, 08032003514, 08098880134.
