Hoodlum Kill Two Passersby in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Two passersby have been reportedly killed by a hoodlum simply identified as Nuhu along Ada-George axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

THISDAY learnt that the hoodlum on a rampage yesterday, snatched an AK-47 rifle from a policeman attached to Rumupakani Police Division Ada-George and started shooting sporadically.

Sources close to the scene of incident disclosed that the suspect is a popular scavenger around the area, few miles away from the private residence of the former Governor Nyesom Wike, on Ada-George.

The source further disclosed that the suspect as at the time of incident had taken hard drug before he snatched the gun and shot indiscriminately which resulted to the killing of another man said to be a scavenger, while other passersby scampered for safety.

Afterwards, the suspect, Nuhu engaged the police officers who tried to stop him in shoot out but was neutralised by the police while the Ak 47 riffle was retrieved by the security operative.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Grace Iringe-Koko, has confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko told THISDAY that “Rivers State Police Command on December 17, 2023, at about 3pm received a message from DPO Rumukpakani Division that one hoodlum, identity yet unknown, ran towards Inspector Ade Rotimi attached to the APC pin-down point by Ada Gorge Road with three others, suddenly stabbed him multiple times on his head, and collected his rifle.

“He also injured one inspector, Bala Yusuf, on his hand and ran towards the Boro Pit Area. He started firing indiscriminately and shot a man yet to be identified.

“He was given a hot chase by the policemen on duty, and he became more violent. Therefore, officers fired to subdue him.

“The snatched rifle was recovered from him, while the injured hoodlum, the lifeless body of the person he shot, and the two injured police officers were taken to the hospital.”

Iringe-Koko said that the two unknown persons shot were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the corpses were deposited at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Mortuary for autopsy, adding that “The two police officers are responding to treatment at the hospital.”