Gunmen, driving in a Toyota Sienna Bus, fired at police officers conducting a stop and search operation in Port Harcourt, killing one of them in the process.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, condemned the attacks, describing it as senseless and unprovoked in a statement released on Friday.
She revealed that one of the attackers was, however, killed during the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
“The sad incident occurred at about 9:45p.m. on February 21, when unidentified hoodlums targeted policemen from Operation Sting of the Rivers State Police Command.
“While the officers were carrying out stop-and-search at Eliozu flyover, they were attacked by the hoodlums travelling in a carton-coloured, glass-tinted Toyota Sienna bus. The vehicle’s registration number remains unknown at this time.”
“The attackers, arriving from the Rumuodumaya axis, opened fire on the police team, resulting in the tragic loss of one Inspector, who valiantly sacrificed his life in the line of duty.
“Undeterred, the police team responded bravely, engaged the attackers, and managed to neutralise one of them who was wearing a mask.
“Unfortunately, the others managed to escape, but potentially sustaining gunshot wounds,” he added.
“The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has pledged that those who perpetrate violence against law enforcement and civilians will face the full weight of the law.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen Inspector, and we assure them that his sacrifice will not be in vain,” Iringe-Koko noted.