By Emeka Okafor
There was tension in Ugbolu-Illah area of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State when gunmen attacked security operatives of Operation Delta Safe, killing two personnel.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday along the failed portion of Ugbolu-Illah road with the hoodlums carting away the service rifles of the deceased officers.
Sources said some operatives in the patrol team sustained severe bullet injuries during the exchange of gun fire.
Local sources lamented that the road has been a safe haven for armed robbers to operate on a regular basis particularly at night.
According to a source, no fewer than 10 policemen have lost their lives on that road to armed robbery attacks in the last four years.
The source who claimed that he was directly behind the vehicle used by the hoodlums for the operation, alleged that on getting to the check point which is just by the failed portion the suspected armed robbers opened fire on the policemen who returned fire, adding that some of the policemen ran into the bush.
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He said the two police officers were found dead when the dust settled, adding that “the armed robbers asked us to reverse and go back that they were for the policemen.
“So many passengers including me also ran into the bush for safety. Police patrol hilux and sienna buses later came to the spot.
“Four Operation Delta Hawk, patrol vans entered Ugbolu community about an hour after the robbery incidence.”
Meanwhile, a stray bullet allegedly from a team of policemen has allegedly killed a 75-year-old woman in the community.
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The police team was said to be chasing a vehicle that refused to stop for search when they fired shots in attempt to demobilise the fleeing vehicle.
Although the state police public relations officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya could not be reached as calls to her phone rang out unanswered, a senior police officer at the command headquarters in Asaba confirmed the incidents.
The senior officer stated that the palace of the Asagba of Asaba has already waded into the matter regarding to the alleged shooting of the 75 years old woman with a view to placating the family.
