The tradition of collection of illegal tolls at various points across the country had a negative implication on three police officers attached to the Rivers State Police Command when they were shot dead by a group later discovered to be mlitants.
According to reports gathered by our correspondent, the police men who were on night patrol at the D-Line area, Mile One in Port-Harcourt,arrested a suspect at about 12 noon and asked himto pay some money to secure his release
Irked by the demand, the suspect, unknown to the police officers, pased a call across to some persons who, according to a report, came to the scene where the suspect had engaged the cops in a heated arguement with sophisticated weapons which they employed to kill the three policemen and injure one among those drafted to the scene on patrol. Leadership also gathered that during the gun duel, another passerby by name I.Yaboana was killed by stray bullets from the militants.
Following the incident, the familiy of the deceased who was caught by the stray bullets has protested to the police high command accusing the of igniting the fire that led to the death of their ward.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Abbey (DSP) who confirmed the incident, said the poliocemen were taken unawares and that during the attack, three AK 47 rifles were taken from the policemen,while one sergeant and two constables were killed.
Also, following the assasination of the Deputy General Manager of Intels in Port Harcourt, the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, George Sekibo, has commisserated with the family of the deceased.
Describing the gruesome killing as wicked and retrogressive to the development of the region, Senator Sekibo described the late Chuks Ihuoma as an icon and a true Nigerian who was dedicated to his job and committed to the cause of humanity.
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While asking the families to take solace in God, the lawmaker assured that he remained committed to giving support to the families of the deceased whenever the need arises.