Police IG orders probe of Okrika shootings

The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a full-scale investigation into Tuesday's shooting at the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Okrika, Rivers State, during which one policemen was reportedly killed and three policemen others injured.

A journalist with Channels Television was also said to have been stabbed.

Abba has directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone 6 Calabar, Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and promptly bring to book all the perpetrators, conspirators and sponsors.

He further directed a speedy prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with violence across the country, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The IG noted with grave concern that despite serious warnings, advices and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts had continued.

He restated the resolve and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate, to continue to provide a level-playing ground for all political parties to sell their manifestoes and woo the electorate.

'The IG deeply regretted the loss of lives of policemen in the course of providing safety in the electoral process. His heart went out to the families of the slain colleagues as he wished the injured officers speedy recovery and return to national duty,' the statement added.

Meanwhile, the IG Special Task Force on Heinous Crimes has busted a notorious criminal gang that specialised in snatching of vehicles at different points across the country.