Gunmen opened fire on two policemen who were on stop and search duty on Tuesday night.
The incident happened at the Okija axis of Mile One in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The two officers were attached to the Mile One Police Station, Diobu in Port Harcourt.
The circumstances leading to the attack could not be ascertained but eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at about 8 pm.
It was also gathered that the operatives died on the spot.
One of the eyewitnesses, a taxi driver who gave his name simply as Okey told Punch that the assailants rode in a vehicle when they launched the attack.
It was not a small thing at all. Just past 8 pm last night, I was driving past the area when I heard a gunshot. They were in a car and speeding. Next thing two policemen were on the ground with blood.
“They were taken unawares. I think the gunmen took their rifles. Most of the shops in the area had closed for the day when it happened,” he explained.
A resident of the area who did not want his name in print for security reasons said the gunmen fled through the D/lime axis of Port Harcourt.
He further said about 15 minutes after the incident, a team of policemen arrived the scene with a patrol van, which made him leave for fear of arrest.
The spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, also confirmed the incident.
He added that the operatives were on stop and search duty.
Omoni, a superintendent of Police also confirmed that an AK-47 rifle was carted away from one of the slain officers.
The Spokesman, in a short message to our correspondent, said, “I can confirm the attack by unknown gunmen on our men posted to Okija Street on stop and search.
“Two Police officers were killed. The investigation has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police.
“One Toyota Corrola, with Reg. No. Rivers ABU 380 AW, used by the attackers was abandoned. One AK47 Rifle belonging to one of the officers carted away.”
