By Onome Oghenetega
In what is becoming a ritual, armed hoodlums have again attacked a team of policemen attached to the Delta State Police Command in Asaba, the state capital.
The incident, NIGER DELTA TODAY learnt, occurred around the popular Abraka Market opposite Sandi Gold hotel in Asaba.
The attack happened when the officers were on stop-and-search duty at about 9pm on Friday.
Three of the policemen were said to have sustained varying degrees of injury while the armed youths carted away about three service riffles belonging to the officers.
Recall that on Wednesday October 30, 2019 hoodlums also attacked a team of policemen and disposed them of four guns including two AK47 riffles at a checkpoint around the Moziac Junction along the Asaba/Onitsha road of the state capital.
Prior to the October 30 incident, similarly attack also took place where a police officer was allegedly killed by rampaging gunmen in the area.
But in the Friday January 10th attack, no fewer than three riffles alleged to have been stolen from the policemen.
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The victims were drawn from the ‘C’ Division Asaba.
Eyewitness account said “the victims were said to have sustained deep machete cuts from the hoodlums who allegedly disarmed three of the police officers.
“After the attack, the criminal elements escaped without vehicle, they were just walking along the road before they disappear “.
It was gathered that the attacked Police officers lose their guard over extortion when the suspected hoodlums struck.
It was learnt that the suspected hoodlums who appealed from the neighbourhood in a commando style inflicted injury on the victim and disposing them of their weapons.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa who confirmed the attack said “actually the incident took place, but as far as am concern, the rifle collected were two not three.
“I gathered that this is not the first time the incident happened in the state before my arrival. But this is the first time since I took over as Commissioner of Police. With the power of God and the strategy and intelligence we have, it will not occur again.
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“Within 8 days of my arrival, I have recovered over ten fire arms hoodlums used to commit crimes in the state.”
He stated that the command had launched a manhunt for the fleeing hoodlums, adding that the command will leave no stone unturned until the suspects were apprehended and prosecuted.
