Police declare five officers missing after Rivers attack

The Police have declared five of its officers that were allegedly attacked by gunmen at Okujagu community in Okrika Local Government of Rivers State missing.

The policemen, who were formally declared missing yesterday by the Rivers State Police Command, were reportedly ambushed in the early hours of Wednesday, May 25, at Okujagu community.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Ahmad Muhammad, explained that the policemen went to Okujagu community on a routine police inquiry but were ambushed by unknown gunmen before they could disembark from the boat that ferried them. Muhammad alleged that they were bombarded with a barrage of heavy gunfire, which forced them to scamper for cover.

He stated that as a result of the attack, by the time the firing ended, six policemen comprising two inspectors and four other rank and file could not be accounted for.

According to him, it was not until last Thursday that one of the police officers identified as Inspector Aferuan Imoukhuede, was rescued.
“The Commissioner of Police has set up a high powered investigative panel headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Investigation Department, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the entire incident,” he said.

He revealed that sting operations by the command were still on top gear to rescue the missing policemen. According to him, 53 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and were undergoing interrogation.

Meanwhile, a source in Okujagu, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that they were not aware of any missing policeman. He also stated that the police had since last Wednesday invaded the community and made several arrests.