Security operatives, hoodlums exchange fire near Rivers Government House

There was tension, yesterday, at the Abonnema wharf area of Port Harcourt as security operatives attached to Rivers State Government House and some suspected hoodlums exchanged gunfire.

The shootout left two persons hospitalised as assorted weapons and drums of illegal products were recovered. The Guardian gathered that the hoodlums​ had, on sighting the security operatives who were on routine patrol, opened fire on them. The operatives fired back, forcing the hoodlums to flee.

Camp Commandant of the Rivers State Government House, Owen Irikefe, while said they were at the wharf to monitor activities of illegal refineries, following a recent fire outbreak in the area when the hoodlums opened fire at them.

He said: “This morning, at Abonnema Wharf, we were on routine patrol because of what happened the other time when a fire broke out at the wharf due to bunkering activities.

“As we were on patrol, a group of boys from distance sighted us and started shooting at us and we exchanged fire with them. As the gun duel was intense, they were overpowered and fled.

“When we entered the camp, we discovered that illegal bunkering was still going on in the area. We arrested some people with bunkering products alongside ammunition, AK-47 rifle, pump-action gun, and locally made pistol.

Irikefe​ said two of his men were injured in the gun duel and have been hospitalised and cautioned those engaged in illegal activities in the area to desist henceforth or be dealt with. He​​ noted that drums of illegal products, arms, and ammunition were recovered from the area

“During the gun duel two of my boys were injured but they are receiving treatments. And the recovered items will be tendered at the office of the commissioner of police as exhibit.

“I am using this opportunity to warn criminals, particularly in that area, to desist from such activities; otherwise, we will not spare them and we will continue to fetch them out and charge them to court,” he warned.