Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has explained how gunmen attacked and shot two policemen on guard at Udeme Hotels, Yenagoa, last Friday night and carted away their service rifles. Emmanuel Paulker, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, owns the hotel, located at DSP Alamieyeseigha road, Opolo, Yenagoa. Eye witness accounts said the gunmen driving a Toyota Camry car drove into the car park of the hotel as guests, came down and approached the security post in a commando style and opened fire on the two policemen.
Guests who watched the shooting from their rooms said the policemen responded to the attack but the gunmen had superior firepower.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Asinim Butwats, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that one of the policemen died at the hospital while the other was undergoing treatment. He said the police immediately swung into action and following a tip-off raided a criminal hideout where suspected gang members of the gunmen were arrested. He said: “On March 15, 2019, at about 2100hours, unknown gunmen operating in a Toyota Camry car, registration number unknown, went to a Hotel at Opolo, Yenagoa and without provocation opened fire at the two policemen on duty. The policemen fired back at the armed robbers and in the ensuing gun battle, one sergeant was fatally wounded. He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead.