From Joseph Obukuta (The New Diplomat N/D Correspondent)
Details have emerged on how seven policemen allegedly linked to armed robbery operations were shot dead during confrontation with operatives of the Delta State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
There have been mixed feelings over the incident which has been shrouded in secrecy but a police source who preferred anonymity on Thursday revealed that the policemen attached to the Bayelsa State Command were killed in Ughelli, Delta state allegedly during a robbery operation.
According to the source, the ranks of the dead policemen range from sergeant to corporal.
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“They were reported to have been engaging in armed robbery when they engaged the Delta Special Anti-robbery Squad in a shootout. They were all killed.”
“The reported killing of the seven policemen in the shootout in Delta State is causing uproar at the command,” the source said.
Multiple sources revealed that a suspect who was later identified as a police sergeant attached to the Bayelsa State command’s armoury was also arrested and transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for allegedly supplying guns to the police robbery suspects.
Several efforts to get comment from the Bayelsa State Command over the incident proved abortive as of the time of filling this report but sources within the police confirmed that the incident occurred at night on Wednesday last week.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Nkereuwem Akpan, reportedly led a team of officers to the Delta State Command to retrieve the bodies of the seven policemen, the source disclosed.
Another source from the Bayelsa police command, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the development, saying the incident happened at Ughelli.
He said, “What you said is true. But I don’t want to speak further. Don’t also rule out a case of mistaken identity. There was also some criminal motives attributed to the policemen. They were found where they were not supposed to be. They were carrying guns and at the same time in mufti.”
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Hafiz Inuwa, earlier said that he was not aware of the development and promised to reversed back but repeated calls to his mobile phone on Thursday were not answered.
