•Mobile Policeman missing

From Murphy Ganagana, Jos

A mobile policeman has been reported missing after a combined team of security forces comprising men of the Nigerian Army and 31 PMF personnel engaged in a fierce gunfight with suspected Fulani herdsmen in the Agatu area of Benue State.

The cop, identified as Corporal Ebiakpo Akparakazi, attached to No. 30 Squadron of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) base in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was said not to have been found after a joint security team stationed at Okokolo village in the troubled Agatu area, engaged a group of Fulani herders, who had reportedly shot two youths between Okokolo and Agwube villages during an attack.

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It was gathered that on approaching the scene following a distress call, the suspected Fulani invaders were said to have opened fire on the security forces that promptly countered them in a fierce battle before eventually flushing them out of the area.

However, reports said when the dust cleared, Corporal Akparakazi could not be found. It is the same fate with one Inalegwu Chele, an Agatu youth also said to be missing after the shoot-out.

It could not be ascertained if the missing cop had been killed or abducted by the herdsmen, but sources hinted that the two Agatu youths who were shot by the Fulani, identified as Sunday Oche and Ngbede Okwu, were rescued alive and are presently recuperating at a private clinic in Agila, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Police spokesman for Benue State command, ASP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident, saying the mobile policeman had not been found as at 3.08pm yesterday, but search parties were combing the surrounding bushes with a view to locating his whereabouts. He also disclosed that no arrests had been made.