5 policemen missing after gunmen attacked their boat in Rivers

Five Policemen have been reported missing by the Police in Rivers state.

In a statement Friday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad said unknown gunmen opened fire on a boat conveying six Policemen on Wednesday around Okujagu waterways, Okrika local government, adding that two of the Policemen were Inspectors while the other four were rank and file.

He said one of the Policemen, Inspector Aferuan Imoukhuede was rescued a day after the incident. The Police image maker said a sting operation had commenced to rescue the five missing policemen, stressing that 53 persons had already been arrested in connection with the attack on the Police boat.

In his words, “The Rivers State Police Command has announced the missing of five policemen who along with other colleagues were ambushed in the early hours of Wednesday 25/05/2016 at the Okujagu community, Okrika Local Government.

“The policemen went to Okujagu community on a routine police inquiry when they were ambushed by unknown gunmen before they could disembark from the boat that ferried them, they were bombarded with a barrage of heavy gunfire which forced them to scamper for cover.

“Sting operations by the command are still on the top gear to rescue the remaining five missing policemen. 53 suspects have been arrested in connection to the incident and are presently undergoing interrogation.

The Commissioner of Police has set up a high powered investigative panel headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Investigation Department to unravel the circumstances surrounding the entire incident.”

-Emmanuel Ikechukwu