Three operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have been hospitalised after they were shot while chasing after kidnappers at the Obiri-kwere area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state on Monday afternoon.
It was gathered that the gun-wielding miscreants had abducted a yet-to-be-identified politician and were fleeing when the policemen tried to intercept them but the kidnappers opened fire on them.
An eyewitness, who does not want his name in print for fear of harassment, disclosed that the van in which the policemen were somersaulted after their driver lost control.
The source said, “After they shot the policemen and demobilised them, the kidnappers fled the scene with their abductee.”
Our correspondent however gathered that an aide to the kidnapped victim and his driver were shot dead by the kidnappers during the melee.
It was also gathered that another police van came to the scene and conveyed the injured officers and the two persons shot dead to an undisclosed hospital.
Another eyewitness said there was sporadic shooting which may have led to the death of the two men working for a yet-to-be-identified kidnapped politician.
He said, “We heard sporadic shooting along the road and a lot of people ran. Some of us who were around came out to verify what happened.
“The onlookers told us that a white vehicle with men in military uniform kidnapped somebody. While they were at it, another vehicle looking like a police van was approaching.
“These kidnappers started raining bullets at them. You have two people in the van dead. Then there are two injured policemen, the driver and one other civilian.
“Currently the injured policemen were taken to the hospital.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the shooting of the cops and the death of the two men.
Iringe-Koko said the State Commissioner of Police had ordered the deployment of a tactical unit to ensure the fleeing kidnappers were arrested and made to face justice, as well as the rescue of the abducted man.
She stated,” No policeman was killed. Yes, they were injured. It was the driver and an aide to the man kidnapped that were fatally wounded (killed).
“The policemen were shot and are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
“The CP has ordered the deployment of tactical unit to ensure the rescue of the kidnap victim and arrest of the kidnappers.”
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