From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
An early morning attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint has left three officers dead and a patrol vehicle burned in Delta State.
The incident occurred at about 7:30 Wednesday morning along the Obeti-Oliogo Road in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
The late officers were attached to the Unity Divisional Police headquarters. It could not be ascertained if other officers survived the attack as at press time.
Local sources said the burnt Toyota Sienna was donated to the police by a commissioner on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
According to the sources, the gunmen laid ambush for the officers, adding that after the killing they went ahead to set them ablaze inside the patrol vehicle.
‘Three police officers attached to the Umutu Division Police Headquarters were attacked and killed on arrival at a checkpoint between Obeti and Oliogo in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta.
‘They were burnt beyond recognition in their patrol Toyota Sienna,’ a source said.
Acting Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command DSP Bright Edafe confirmed the killing, stating: ‘What I can say now is that three policemen were killed and the vehicle burnt. I don’t have other details,’ Edafe stated.
The police spokesman said operatives of the Command in conjunction with vigilantes killed a suspected member of an armed robbery in Obogo, Udu Local Government Area of the state.
He said the suspect died at the hospital after sustaining injuries during a fierce firefight at the community where the gang was operating before the security team arrived following a distressed call.
Edafe said the Command also made a breakthrough in the case involving the murder of a prince in Orhuwhorun, Eric Takerere, and two mobile policemen on escort duty, during an attack that also left Eric’s brother, Franklyn, critically injured.
According to him, six people were arrested Tuesday in addition to two other suspects earlier in July in connection with the murder of the royal.
He listed the six suspects as 36-year-old Onoriode Shefo, aka Chicago, 30-year-old Omagbeosa Sholla, 30-year-old Godwin Obukoemu, aka Million, 34-year-old Ejime Mugagbam, 24-year-old Ejiroghenen Nushe and 28-year-old Egho Monday.
Edafe said the earlier suspects – Godspower Agabarhayowe, aka Ganagana, and Tony Edwin, both 27-years-old – had led operatives of the State Anti-kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKCCS) to their hideouts in Udu, Warri and Aladja areas where the latest six suspects were nabbed.
‘They all confessed to being involved in the murder of Prince Eric Takerere and his two mobile policemen.
‘They also led the operatives to their armoury where two AK47 rifles, one pump action gun, one locally-made pistol, four magazines, 76 rounds of live ammunition and 38 rounds of live cartridges were recovered,’ Edafe stated.