Punch
Some yet-to-be-indentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a police sergeant at the Waterlines area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Police said another person was equally killed in another part of the city by the hoodlums.
The gunmen, suspected to be a gang of armed robbers, had trailed a bullion van, which was carrying a huge sum of money from an undisclosed location to the Waterlines, before launching an attack.
An eyewitness explained that the victim was standing in front of one of the new generation banks with his gun, adding that he (the victim) was not part of the escort team of the bullion van.
It was learnt that the bandits, on sighting the policeman, who mounted guard in front of the bank, opened fire and shot him dead before escaping.
It was also gathered that the shooting attracted the attention of the heavily-armed security personnel deployed in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office in Port Harcourt.
The security men, who swiftly intervened, foiled the attempt by the criminals to rob the bullion van.
The hoodlums were said to have escaped through the Olu-Obasanjo road after the policemen shot several times at them.
Sources said the attack caused gridlock from Rumuola Junction through Waterlines to Garrison Junction.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, gave the name of the slain officer as Sergeant Sunday Adoga.
Muhammad said Adoga was killed during the attack around Waterlines-Garrison on Aba Road.
He said, “We are deeply saddened by the senseless killing of Sgt. Sunday Adoga and the other innocent citizen, who were ambushed at different locations by marauding gangs.
“Sadly, today’s incident once again demonstrates the profound dangers our men and others face and witness. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to confront crime and violence in our communities.
“As for the criminals, they can run, but it is just a matter of time; we will catch up with them and bring them to justice.”
