Several
policemen have been reportedly injured while others are currently
missing in Delta state after a clash with herdsmen in police uniform and
armed with AK47 rifles.
Photo used for illustrative purposes only
Some operatives of the Nigerian Police were on Monday engaged in a
gun battle with suspected herdsmen, dressed in police uniform, armed
with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, in Delta State, leaving a
number of police officers, including an Area Commander, injured, while
some are missing.
According to Vanguard, the police team, including men of the
Dragon, Quick Response Squad, QRS and Ughelli Area Command patrol team,
led by the Area Commander, Ughelli, had stormed Orhorho community and
surroundings in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the move was due to incessant reports of rape
and attacks on villagers by herdsmen, who were taking cover in the bush.
But as soon as the policemen arrived, the herdsmen opened fire.
The police officers, numbering over 60, had stormed the community
to enforce an ultimatum issued the herdsmen to leave. Though details of
the incident were still sketchy at press time, sources said the head of
the police team was among the wounded in the gun battle.
A source, who craved anonymity, said police officers were ambushed
by the herdsmen, who he said opened fire on them, as they were
approaching the community.
Speaking exclusively to Vanguard on phone yesterday evening, the Delta State Police Commissioner, Zanna Ibrahim, said: “There was no injury.
“What happened was that the policemen were fatigued. They
entered the terrain they were not used to and some of them collapsed out
of fatigue.”
He said none was injured, but admitted that the Area Commander, who led the team and one other person were exhausted.
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