ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have attacked Kolo Police Division in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The suspected cultists, said to be six in number, allegedly stormed the police station in an unmarked vehicle, fatally injured an unnamed Police Inspector and carted away his rifle.
Some community sources claimed the cultists were armed with AK-47 rifles.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity, claimed the cultists drove to the front of the police station about 10:45 pm Monday night and opened fire on the three policemen on duty.
It was gathered that the policemen quickly took cover as the gunmen took them unawares.
It was further learnt that in the process of the attack, the yet-to-be-identified Police Inspector was hit by a bullet that resulted in a fatal injury.
Youth President of Kolo community, Mr Gift Okere-Onyiagholo, claimed that the gunmen also returned on Tuesday, about 12 noon, and robbed an operator of a Point of Sale (POS) shop, carting away cash and phones from the outlet.
Okere-Onyeagholo said: “We need the police in our area to be strengthened. They should increase the manpower and improve their working relationship with the community. We are not safe.
“Just imagine, after the cultists attacked the police station on Monday, they came back on Tuesday to rob a POS shop in broad daylight. This happened about 12 noon yesterday. We are afraid for our safety.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.
He said that investigations were on to apprehend the gunmen and recover the riffle.
Butswat said: “Police officers who were conducting stop and search operations along Kolo-Ogbia Road, were attacked by gunmen suspected to be cultists, on October 11, 2021, at about 11pm.
“A Police Inspector was fatally injured and his rifle was carted away. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the gunmen and recover the stolen rifle.”