Eight policemen attached to the convoy of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Jacob Oshiomogor, were killed yesterday during an exchange of gunfire with armed robbers.
Mr Oshiomogho, however, escaped death by the whiskers. The attack took place at Ekpon, Igueben Local Government Council of Edo State, near Agbor, in Delta State.
Initially, the whereabouts of the Police chief could not be ascertained, but the Force Public Relations Officer, an ACP (ACP), Emmanuel Ojukwu, who confirmed the incident in Abuja, said Oshiomogho was alive and safe. He, however, could not confirm the number of casualties.
Oshiomogho who spoke from Police Headquarters in Asaba said that he could not comment on the incident as he was in an emergency meeting.
“I can’t talk now because of what happened to me today. I will talk later,” he said.
The Command’s Spokesman, Charles Muka, also declined to speak, saying that he was in a meeting.
Oshiomogho, who hails from Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Council of Edo State was attacked in his home state as he was returning from Abuja.
A Police source at the Asaba Police Command Headquarters who pleaded anonymity said the robbers opened fire on the Commissioner’s convoy as soon as they drove by. In the ensuing crossfire, the escort pickup van, which was fully loaded with his security details, was hit.
“I don’t have the full details but I know that he was attacked by robbers and about eight policemen died,” the source said.
Two of the wounded policemen are reportedly receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Delta State.
At the Delta State Police Headquarters on Okpanam Road, Asaba, all was quiet last night. Two police sentry stood guard while some other policemen were seen discussing the incidence in hushed tone.
The gunmen are suspected to be robbers whose attempts to rob a bullion van was foiled along the same route earlier in the day.
Though no official reaction was issued by the Police in Edo State, THISDAY Checks showed that there were blood stains all over the place where the incident occurred.
Calls put across to the Edo Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Ogboi and the Zone’s Assistant Inspector-General of Police spokesperson, Ebi Erubiri, were not picked. Even the telephone lines of the State Commissioner, Danlami Yar’Adua, were switched off.
Mar262009