Suspected artisanal refiners have reportedly killed a police officer identified as Michael, injured two others and carted away two guns belonging to the officers.
The Guardian learnt that the incident, which happened at Borokiri in Port Harcourt City Council of Rivers State, followed the officers’ alleged frequent extortions from the refiners, which was said to have provoked them.
The police officers were said to be at their duty post along the Captain Amangala Junction in Borokiri when the bandits attacked them.
A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity, alleged that some cultists terrorising the area and also involved in illegal refining had carried out the nefarious act.
He disclosed that the killers came through the Orupolo Waterside, attacked the policemen and escaped through same route.
“The boys may have attacked the policemen following repeated harassment and extortion by the officers at the junction while the bandits transport their refined products,” he said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, adding that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Joseph Mukan, had ordered investigation of the incident.
“I can confirm the development where one of our men was killed. The Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation, but I am not aware of the criminals taking guns belonging to our policemen,” he said.
