Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State police command has explained how gunmen on Friday night attacked and shot two policemen on guard at Udeme Hotels, Yenagoa, before carting away their service rifles.
The hotel located at DSP Alamieyeseigha road, Opolo, Yenagoa, is owned by Emmanuel Paulker representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district in the National Assembly.
An eye-witness account said that the gunmen driving a Toyota Camry car, pulled up inside the car park of the hotel as guests, came out, approached the security post in a commando style and opened fire on the two policemen.
Guests who witnessed the shooting from their rooms said it lasted for 30 minutes; they said the policemen replied fire but the gunmen had the upper hand and succeeded in subduing them. After killing them, they left with their rifles.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Bayelsa State, Mr Asinim Butwats, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that one of the policemen died in the hospital while the other was undergoing treatment.
He said the police immediately swung into action and following a tip off raided a criminal hideout where the suspected gang members of the gunmen were arrested.
“On March 15, 2019, at about 21:00hours, gunmen operating in a Toyota Camry car, REG. number unknown, went to a Hotel at Opolo, Yenagoa and without provocation, open fire on the two policemen on duty. The policemen fired back at the armed robbers and in the ensuing gun battle, one sergeant was fatally wounded; he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead. The other policeman is responding to treatment.
“The gunmen escaped with bullets wounds. Based on a tip-off, a notorious criminal hideout was raided, where their cohorts were arrested and they have volunteered useful information. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the gunmen.”