The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has given an account of how two of its personnel were allegedly killed during a recent rally organised by members of two self-determination groups, the Independent People of Biafra and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra in the state.
The Police have, however, vowed to “deal ruthlessly” with anyone found to be disturbing the peace of the society.
Confirming the killing of the two policemen, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, who also narrated the gory details of the incident, explained that they were first beaten up and mobbed by the irate IPOB/MASSOB members who collected their guns before throwing their unconscious bodies into the river.
Muka, a superintendent of police, added that the irate groups attacked policemen and an Army patrol team deployed in three locations in the state, killing two policemen and injuring two others at the Cable and Abraka areas.
He also said that the rampaging IPOB and MASSOB members then made away with one AK.47 rifle and one smoke riot gun stolen from the dead and injured policemen.
The acting PPRO further said that the outlawed groups also vandalised two patrol vans belonging to the Ibusa Division of the Police Command and the Nigerian Army, respectively.
Muka said that, following the illegal activities of some of the members of these two group, the Command has advised parents and guardians to call their wards to order by guiding them to always toe the path of peace.
He also advised the members of the two groups to pursue whatever agenda they have in a constitutional manner.
The Delta State Police Command spokesman said, “The members of the unlawful IPOB/ MASSOB carried out a violent protest at Asaba. The command had, sequel to rumours of the planned protest, proactively deployed men to strategic locations in Asaba. To the chagrin of the Command, the obnoxious irate groups attacked our men and an Army patrol team at three locations, killed two policemen and injured two others at Cable and Abraka areas and made away with one AK.47 rifle and one smoke riot gun from the dead and injured policemen.
“The callous group threw two of the injured policemen into the River Niger at Cable, while one was later rescued alive. The unlawful groups also damaged Ibusa Division patrol van and a military patrol van. In the ensuing confrontation with the groups, four members of the illegal group were fatally wounded, while eight were arrested. The groups were successfully dispersed and Benin/Onitsha express way and the town made free for people to move and go about their businesses.”
“The Command therefore advises parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to toe peaceful path and pursue whatever agenda constitutionally. The Command also wants to state that the Security Agencies will not fold their arms and watch a few persons take laws into their hands and cause mayhem in pursuit of whatever agenda,” he added.
