Tony John, Port Harcourt
Nigeria, May 10, 2016 – Not less than five policemen have been confirmed killed in a gun-battled with cultists in Okabe, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Also killed in the gun duel was an innocent bus attendant that was hit by a stray bullet. We gathered that the cultists, who are members of the Icelanders cult group escaped unhurt from the scene.
We gathered that the policeman had invaded the area to fish out the boys apparently in obedience to the IGP’s order, Solomon Arase who had warned that there will be no hideout for criminals.
We gathered that the cultists who had anticipated the move opened fire on sighing the team of policeman, leading to several casualties.
Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad however declined to give the actual number of slain police officers in the attack but that the victims were officers attached to 30 Police Mobile Force in Bayelsa State returning to their duties.
Muhammad, however, said the tragic killing had shown the level of pain and perilous experiences the police go through in trying to provide security to communities.
“We are deeply pained by the senseless and barbaric killing of our colleagues attached to 30 PMF Yenagoa, who were ambushed in the early hours of today at Okobie en route Yenagoa.
“Today’s tragedy again demonstrates the enormous calamities we and witness in the course of our job. We put their lives on the line every day to confront crime and violence in our communities. We will stop at nothing to bring the perpetrators of this dastard act to justice’’, he said.
