Rivers State Police Command on Saturday confirmed that attacks on different police stations in the state on Friday night left seven officers dead.
In a statement by its spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, the state Police Command lamented that the killings were “unprovoked and mindless”.
According to Omoni, gunmen driven in two branded Hilux vans attacked the special checkpoint at Choba bridge, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area and killed two P
policemen on duty. He said a private car, belonging to one of the policemen, was set ablaze by the gunmen.
He said in another attack on Rumuji Police Station in Emuohua Local Government Area of the State, the same gunmen killed two policemen on duty and a police patrol vehicle burnt.
He said strong resistance by the police stopped the hoodlums from gaining access into the police station,
He added that during exchange of fire, two of the attackers were fatally wounded and died on the spot.
Omoni further said that the hoodlums also attacked the Elimgbu Police Station in Obio/Akpor Council but were resisted by the police.
He, meanwhile, noted that three officers were killed in the attack while a serious fire engagement made the hoodlums abandon their bullet-riddled Hilux van and escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds with a snatched Sienna bus.
Omoni said, “The continued engagement by the police, also forced them to abandon the Sienna car they were using to escape at the Refinery junction, while their remnants again escaped with bullet wounds.
“In the meantime, the corpses of the fallen heroes have been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary, while the Commissioner of Police, CP. Eboka Friday, who led members of his management team and tactical Commanders to the respective scenes for an on-the-spot assessment, has launched a serious manhunt for the perpetrators with a view to apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice”.
According to the state police spokesman, the Command is relatively calm.
“It is pertinent to note, that in all three attacks carried out last night, no Police Station/formation was burnt. Regrettably, a total of five assault rifles were lost in the incident,” he added.
He called on the public to increase their security consciousness and report any person or persons with gun wounds to the nearest police station or call the following numbers: 08032003514, 08098880134.