Tension As Gunmen Kill Officer In Rivers

The residents of Rivers State have been thrown into a state of tension as gunmen reportedly killed a police inspector in the state.

The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement on Thursday, stating that the officer was ambushed and attacked by the gunmen during a stop and search duty at the Eliozu Flyover in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday night.

She noted that the gunmen, who were spotted in a carton-colored Sienna bus with fully tinted glasses, drove in from the Rumuodumaya axis, near Port Harcourt, where they launched the offensive that claimed the officer’s life.

“At approximately 2145 hours, while conducting routine stop-and-search at the Eliozu flyover, the officers were ambushed by unidentified hoodlums operating in a carton-colored Sienna bus with fully tinted glasses.

“The registration number of the vehicle remains unknown at this time.

“The assailants drove in from the Rumuodumaya axis and opened fire on the police team, resulting in the tragic loss of one inspector who valiantly gave his life in the line of duty,” the statement reads in part.

She, however, stated that the police team responded with bravery, engaging the attackers and managing to neutralise one of them with a mask on his face, while the others managed to escape, potentially sustaining gunshot wounds.

Iringe-Koko further noted that the group has been identified, and assured the people that justice will be served.

“Rest assured, we will relentlessly pursue these criminals and bring them to justice. No amount of intimidation will hinder our officers’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens,” she said.