Rivers State Police Confirms Death Of Seven Officers

The death of seven officers by unknown gunmen on Friday, May 7, has been confirmed by the Rivers State Police Command.

In a statement released on Sunday, May 8, the spokesperson of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, described the killing as “unprovoked and mindless”.

According to him, the gunmen who drove in two branded Hilux vans, attacked the special checkpoint at Choba Bridge, in the Ikwere Local Government Area where two policemen on duty were killed in a surprise attack and a private car belonging to one of the policemen set ablaze.

Omoni said a similar attack was launched at Rumuji Police Station in Emuohua Local Government Area of the State by the same hoodlums and that two policemen on duty were killed and a police patrol vehicle burnt.

He revealed that during the exchange of fire, two of the attackers were fatally wounded and died on the spot, adding that the gunmen proceeded to attack the Police Station in Obio/Akpor Council where three officers were killed in the attack.

He said the intense gunbattle led the hoodlums to abandon their bullet-riddled Hilux van, adding that they escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds with a snatched Sienna bus.

Omoni said in all three attacks carried out, no Police Station/formation was burnt but that a total of five assault rifles were lost in the incident. He enjoined the residents of the state 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 or 08098880134.