Posted by By JOE EFFIONG, Uyo on
Gunmen suspected to be militants attacked the Akinima Police Station, in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State in early hours of Tuesday, killing three policemen on duty. The gunmen had stormed the station in a speed-boat, which berthed at the waterside and shot indiscriminately.
Gunmen suspected to be militants attacked the Akinima Police Station, in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State in early hours of Tuesday, killing three policemen on duty.
The gunmen had stormed the station in a speed-boat, which berthed at the waterside and shot indiscriminately.
The policemen at the station were caught unawares and before they could muster strength to fight back, an inspector and two constables had been shot dead by the rampaging gunmen.
It was further gathered that the other policemen ran to Ahoada town to alert members of the Joint Military Task Force stationed there, but before the soldiers arrived at Akinima, the gunmen had fled.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Ogbaudu, confirmed the attack and death of the cops.
Ogbaudu explained that the gunmen launched the attack on the station at 1.30 a.m.
He said the attackers broke the station's armoury but could not get arms and ammunition as they had been issued out to officers on duty.
The commissioner recalled that in April, some gunmen attacked the Mini Okoro and Elelenwo police stations in Port Harcourt, killing seven policemen. He added that in August, suspected militants also burnt down the Okrika Police Station.
'In spite of the attack, I want to re-assure Rivers people that maximum security will be maintained throughout this Christmas and New Year celebration. My men are working hard to ensure the protection of life and property," Ogbaudu said.
He said Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) had been directed to sleep in their offices, while all leave/vacations had been cancelled to ensure effective security during the festive period.