The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the killers of three policemen attached to the command
The cops, who were reportedly killed by gunmen on Thursday, were attached to an oil and gas executive in the state.
It was learnt that some gunmen dressed in military uniforms had attacked a convoy of sport utility vehicles and opened fire on the occupants, killing at least three officers.
Our correspondent gathered that the men were shot dead by the gunmen, who whisked an oil magnate, said to be the managing director of an oil and gas firm, into their car and drove off.
In a viral video, obtained by Saturday PUNCH, three men clad in their police uniforms were seen lying lifelessly on the road and covered in a pool of their blood. They also had their rifles hung over their shoulders, becoming a spectacle for onlookers.
An eyewitness, who gave his name only as Emmanuel for security reasons, when contacted by our correspondent, claimed to have seen the gunmen come down from a van and shoot the occupants of the Hilux van and the SUVs. The gunshots were said to have burst the tyres which forced the convoy to halt.
“I saw them. I was right across the road, headed under the bridge when it happened. I heard sporadic gunshots and I quickly ran over to a shop close by to take cover. I saw the men jump down from the van after ‘spraying’ bullets on the occupants. The driver escaped by jumping off one of the SUVs.
“I am not sure if they kidnapped the main occupant of the SUV but when we got there, we only saw three middle-aged policemen bleeding.
“Two had died on the spot but the other was still breathing. I have the video I made and I can send it to you. He eventually died from excessive bleeding. I left the scene because I didn’t want the police coming there to start questioning people who were around the area. This happened in broad daylight,” he said.
But reacting on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the Force would go to any length to make sure the killers of the ‘gallant’ officers were brought to book.
She noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, had, on hearing the news, asked that a special investigation be launched.
She, however, refused to give further detail on the identity of the officers, the kidnapped businessman, and what the Force was doing to get him out of the den of attackers.
She added, “We have launched a special investigation and will fish out those killers who ‘fell’ our gallant men. We will make sure no stone is left unturned in this investigation. We will keep you posted as events unfold. The bodies of the officers have been deposited in the morgue for further action.”
