C/RIVER: Gunmen kill two cops at checkpoints, cart away rifles

AT least two policemen were said to be killed by gunmen in the early hours of today at two different checkpoints in Ofatura and Onyadama in Obubra Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the gunmen did not just kill the security operatives but also carted away their rifles.

Initial reports indicated that six policemen and a soldier manning another checkpoint lost their lives during the attacks.

The state Police Command confirmed the incident but debunked the casualty figure, saying two cops lost their lives, while a third one was injured.

Speaking about the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said, “It is not six. It was two of our men that were shot and two guns taken away. One was injured. They tried to attack other divisions but they didn’t succeed. It was in Obubra that they succeeded.”

The latest attacks happened a week after four policemen were gunned down in Calabar at a checkpoint and two of their rifles taken away.

Gunmen targeting policemen at their duty post have been on the rampage recently across the country.

Two weeks ago some hoodlums attacked two different police stations in Imo State killing some of the officers on duty and setting their vans ablaze.