- Rivers special security survey C4I checkpoint at Choba bridge was also destroyed…
In what looked like coordinated attacks suspected IPOB militants Friday night attacked Elimgbu Police Station in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, killing three policemen and injuring one other.
In another attack at Rumuji Divisional Police Station in Emouha Local Government Area, the attackers killed two police officers while another police officer was killed at Ogbakiri junction in the same local government area.
The State special security survey, the C4I checkpoint at Choba bridge was destroyed by the militants.
The Youth President of Elimgbu community, Ambassador Uche Morgan told reporters that the Elimgbu police attack took place about 10 pm on Friday night.
Morgan disclosed that the moment he heard it he mobilized his member to the station and stay there till Saturday morning.
He revealed that the shooting caused serious panic in the community, adding that the youths would synergize with the security agencies to provide security in the area.
The coordinated attacks came less than a week after the state government declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew across all 23 local government areas of the state to forestall the infiltration of militants into the state.
When contacted Rivers Police Command Public Relation Officer, Nnmadi Omoni, said that the state police command tactical unit had moved to the affected police stations for assessment.
The Police have confirmed the death of seven officers in the attack on its formation by gunmen in Rivers State.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, the police also confirmed the death of two of the attackers.
The command’s spokesman explained that the attack was carried out by gunmen who drove in two branded Hilux vans.
ATTACK ON POLICE PERSONNEL IN RIVERS STATE
The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the unprovoked and mindless attack on Policemen and vehicles.
The incident which led to the death of seven Policemen occurred last night at about 2030hrs, where unknown gunmen driven in two branded Hilux vans, attacked the special checkpoint at Choba bridge, wherein a surprising attack, killed two Policemen on duty and set ablaze a private car belonging to one of the Policemen.
A similar attack was launched at Rumuji Police Station by the same hoodlums who killed two Policemen on duty and burnt a Police patrol vehicle.
However, a stiff resistance by the Police prevented the hoodlums from gaining access to the Police station. In the course of the exchange of fire, two of the attackers were fatally wounded and died on the spot.
The third attack at Elimgbu Police Station was equally resisted by the Police, though three officers were killed in that attack the serious fire engagement made them abandon their bullet-riddled Hilux van, while they escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds with a snatched Sienna bus.
The continued engagement by the Police, also forced them to abandon the Sienna car they were using to escape at the Refinery junction, while their remnants again escaped with bullet wounds.
In the meantime, the corpses of the fallen heroes have been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary, while the Commissioner of Police, CP. Eboka Friday, who led members of his management team and tactical Commanders to the respective scenes this morning for an on-the-spot assessment, has launched a serious manhunt for the preparators with a view to apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice.
So far, the Command is relatively calm and the Commissioner of Police is currently in security with his team, as security has been further strengthened in all the Police formations in the State, including other critical public and private infrastructure.
It is pertinent to note, that in all three attacks carried out last night, no Police Station/formation was burnt. Regrettably, a total of five assault rifles were lost in the incident.
The Public is hereby enjoined to increase their security consciousness and report any person or persons with gun wounds to the nearest Police Station or call the following numbers:
1. 08032003514
2. 08098880134SP. NNAMDI OMONI (anipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND,
PORT HARCOURT.
