Robbers kill four policemen in Delta

Rampaging armed robbers in Delta State on Wednesday reportedly attacked a patrol van and killed four policemen in Ugbolu community near Asaba after robbing residents of the community.

It was learnt that the robbers, on sighting the police patrol van along the Asaba-Ugbolu Expressway, opened fire on them, killing four of the policemen, while others were injured.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the police team also responded with firepower and injured four of the six-man gang.

He said, “The armed robbers had just robbed residents of the community, and were on their way home when the police patrol team ran into them. They opened fire on the policemen, who equally returned the firepower. But four policemen died.”

However, the Police Commissioner in the state, Alkali Usman, said one policeman was killed, adding that others sustained fatal injuries and were rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they were receiving treatment.

While the police boss assured Deltan State residents of safety, he said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing robbers. He called on members of the public to provide the police with useful information that could lead to their arrest.

But sources said the policemen were seen at the hospital being conveyed by attendants to the mortuary.

The source said, “There were four policemen. They were initially left on the floor and we could see their bodies shattered with bullets. They were later taken to the mortuary. ”

PUNCH Metro gathered that in the last four weeks, Ugbolu, Illah and Asaba communities had been under siege as robbers raided unsuspecting travellers and residents in the evenings.

Meanwhile, police operatives on Tuesday rescued a kidnapped victim and tracked down the syndicate in their hideout around Umueke Idumuezeji quarters, Ibusa town.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, explained that in the course of rescuing the victim, two of the kidnappers were fatally wounded.

She said the victim, who was lured to Ibusa community through the internet on the guise of offering him a job, was held captive before he was rescued.

“The two suspects were rushed to a private hospital in Asaba, where the doctors on duty confirmed them dead. 

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects on the run,” she added.