Gunmen have killed two police officers and seriously injured another during an attack on a security checkpoint in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to Punch, the officers, attached to the Aluu Police Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area, were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along the Mbodo/Aluu axis of Obiri-Kwere Road at about 9 p.m. on Monday when the assailants opened fire before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
The attack occurred less than 24 hours after the Rivers State Police Command announced the arrest of a suspected high-profile criminal, Austine Emenike, also known as “Oyibo,” and the recovery of a locally made pistol, four single-barrel guns and five live cartridges.
A video circulating on social media showed the two slain officers lying at the scene, while a witness alleged the gunmen had robbed residents before attacking the policemen.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, said two officers died while the third is receiving treatment in hospital. She added that Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju and members of the command’s management team visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, and that an investigation is underway.
