5 officers missing as gunmen lay ambush for policemen in Rivers

The Rivers state police command has declared five policemen missing after an ambush by gunmen at Okujagu waterways in Okrika local government area of the state.

According to Ahmad Muhammad, police public relations officer in the state, the incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday.

Muhammad said the officers were attacked while on patrol, said six officers were initially missing, but Aferuan Imoukhuede, an inspector, was rescued on Thursday.

“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 area,” he said in a statement.

“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.

“By the time the firing ended, six policemen comprising two inspectors and four other rank and file could not be accounted for but a day after Inspector Aferuan Imoukhuede, who was among the missing policemen, was rescued.

“Sting operations by the command are still on the top gear to rescue the remaining five missing policemen. Fifty-three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently undergoing interrogation.”

Muhammad said 53 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that a high-powered investigative panel had been set up “to unravel the circumstances surrounding the entire incident”.

The high rate of insecurity in Rivers state has been a source of concern to the government.

Earlier in May, five policemen attached to 30 mobile police force (MPF) of the Nigerian police in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, were killed in an ambush at Okobie, Ahoada West local government area of Rivers.