Gunmen Kill Five Policemen in Rivers

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Monday killed five policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Nasiru Halidu, at Okobe Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rives State.

THISDAY gathered that the policemen were attached to 30 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and were returning to their duty post at the end of their special mission in Yobe State.

The policemen were said to have been ambushed by the hoodlums at about 3am. The hoodlums opened fire on them, killing all five in a police van. The attack was said to have lasted less than 10 minutes before the hoodlums dispersed into the bush.

A civilian, said to be a motor boy (conductor) attached to one of the petrol tankers parked at the venue of the incident, was also hit by a stray bullet.

Okobe community has been a stop-over point for petrol tanker and other truck drivers. It was also in Okobe that more than 200 people died in July, 2012, following a petrol tanker explosion.

A police officer, who would not wish to be named, lamented, “One of my course mates, a DSP; his name is Nasiru Halidu, was among those ambushed and killed by the hoodlums. He was among the police officers and men, who went on a special duty in Yobe State.

“They were going back to Yenagoa after ending their special assignment. It was at Okobe in Ahoada West, along the East-West Road, that the incident happened.”

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations (PPRO), Mr. Ahmad Muhammad (DSP), said the hoodlums laid ambush for the policemen that were travelling back to their base in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He explained that the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, adding that all the policemen, who were occupants of a vehicle, died.

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