Two police shot dead by gunmen in Rivers

Unknown gunmen shot dead two police officers on stop and search duty yesterday night the Okija axis of Mile One in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The circumstances leading to the attack could not be ascertained but eye witnesses said the incident occurred at about 8pm, saying the operatives died on the spot.

One of the eyewitnesses, a taxi driver who identified himself as Okey told our correspondent on Wednesday morning that the assailants were in a vehicle when they launched the attack.

“It was not a small thing at all. Just past 8pm last night, I was driving past the area when I heard gunshot. They were in a car and speeding. Next thing two policemen were on the ground with blood.

“They were taken unawares. I think the gunmen took their rifle. Most of the shops in the area had closed for the day when it happened,” he explained.

A resident of the area who did not want his name in print for security reasons said the gunmen fled through the D/lime axis of Port Harcourt.

He further said about 15 minutes after the incident, a team of policemen arrived the scene with a patrol van, which made him leave for fear of arrest.

When contacted, Spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the incident, adding that the operatives were on stop and search duty.

Omoni, a superintendent of Police also confirmed that an AK-47 rifle was carted away from one of the slain cop, poimting out that vehicle used by the gunmen was abandoned at the scene.

The Spokesman, in a short message to our correspondent, said, “I can confirm the attack by unknown gunmen on our men posted to Okija Street on stop and search.

“Two Police officers were killed. Investigation has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police.

“One Toyota Corrola, with Reg. No. Rivers ABU 380 AW, used by the attackers was abandoned. One AK47 Rifle belonging to one of the officers carted away.”

Port Harcourt is the capital and largest city of Rivers State, Nigeria. It is the fifth-largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Benin City.