A fresh tragedy has hit the nation’s security community following the killing of six policemen in an ambush in Delta State.
Six other officers are still missing, the Nigeria Police confirmed yesterday.
It comes as the country remains in shock over the March 14 killing of 18 army officers and men by some youths in Okuama, also in Delta State, reports The Nation.
The police authorities described the loss of the “courageous officers” as devastating.
Killed were two inspectors and four sergeants.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who broke the news, said the men were on a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State when they ran into an ambush and were killed.
He was silent on the date of the incident but it was gathered yesterday that they had been missing since January. Sources said the decomposing bodies of some of the killed police officers have been recovered by a combined team of security agents and the local vigilance men in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were drafted from Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Abuja, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 51 Oghara and Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Asaba in Delta State.
Adejobi said: “Our hearts extend to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow.
“We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.
“The deceased officers include Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT) enlisted on 1st August, 2003; Inspector Friday Irorere (51 PMF) enlisted on 1st January, 2003; Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Akpan Aniette (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Ayere Paul (IRT) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; and Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011.
“The officers currently missing in action include Inspector Onoja Daniel enlisted 1st February, 2003; Inspector Onogho Felix enlisted on 1st January, 2004; Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor enlisted 1st April, 2004; Inspector Joel Hamidu enlisted 1st June 2006, Sergeant Moses Eduvie enlisted 17th October, 2011, all of 51 PMF; and Sergeant Cyril Okorie (SWAT) enlisted 17th October, 2011.
“Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to honouring the memory of our fallen heroes by recognising their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice.
“In accordance with this commitment, the Force will posthumously honour the slain officers for their noble service and ultimate sacrifice at the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony scheduled for April 5th, 2024 in Abuja.
“In response to this grievous loss, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has taken decisive actions as expected.
“The bodies of six (6) of the slain officers have been recovered after a fierce search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits.
“The Force is focused on the search for the other six (6) officers while all their families have been duly contacted.
“Additionally, the Inspector General of Police has mandated the expedited processing and payment of all entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers, aiming to alleviate any financial burdens they may encounter in this challenging time.”
Adejobi said immediate measures had been initiated to ensure that justice is served swiftly and the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime are brought to justice.
He said: “The Inspector General of Police has mandated the deployment of all necessary resources and personnel to apprehend those responsible for this senseless killing of our officers, and this has led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the preceding incident and the killing, who are currently volunteering information necessary for the rounding up of all the perpetrators.
“It is paramount to underscore that contrary to perceived notions in some quarters, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to responding decisively to the loss of its officers and men as a result of the many unforeseen hazards associated with our job due to the dynamics of crimes and criminality globally.
“Recent incidents, such as the murder of SP Angbashim in Rivers State, where the perpetrators have been painstakingly traced to their hideout and decimated during the exchange of gunfire with gallant operatives of the Force, is a vital pointer.
“Notable also is the swift and robust response to the attack on the Police Command Headquarters in Adamawa State where one Inspector Jacob Daniel was gruesomely murdered, which was followed by a visit to Adamawa State by the IGP, and timeous response by Mr. President upon being briefed. Equally, efforts were intensified in that regard to seek redress and ensure sanctions for the attackers.
“The Nigeria Police Force unequivocally condemns any further assaults on Police Officers and other law enforcement personnel who selflessly dedicate themselves to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens, reiterating the NPF’s dedication to upholding law and order, and urging our officers to remain resolute in the discharge of their lawful duties, undeterred by such cowardly acts.
“Similarly, individuals and groups peddling unnecessary and insensitive publications being circulated in the media space are urged not to make light of this loss to the NPF but to sympathize with the police in these sorrowful times.
“The Inspector General of Police, while assuring police officers and men, as well as the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice as the killers have murdered sleep and will be tracked down to account for their reprehensible acts, calls upon well-meaning members of the public to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force by providing any pertinent information that may aid in the apprehension of the perpetrators. Together, we will ensure that justice is served and peace and security prevail throughout the country.”
It was gathered that a combined team of security agents and local hunters stormed the forest last Sunday and Monday to recover the corpses
On January, 24, 2024, three police officers at a nipping point in Ohoror community, Ughelli North were detailed to respond to a distress call by one Moses Progress, now at large, who claimed to have been robbed by suspected herdsmen while performing sacrifice to the gods of the river under a bridge close to the nipping point.
The three officers, all Inspectors, detailed to respond to the distressed call have not been seen till now.
The authorities then deployed more men, including those whose corpses have just been recovered and those still missing, to go in search of the three that were first assigned to go into the bush.
One of the officers however escaped from the alleged killer Fulani herdsmen.
Sources said the operational huts of the herdsmen were destroyed during the mission to recover the corpses of the murdered officers.
A senior security source in Delta State said the recovered corpses of the officers have been deposited at Mariere Central Hospital morgue in Ughelli.
“While depositing them at the morgue, some officials of the Delta State Government were with the vigilance members, though it was not confirmed if the officials were representatives of the government.
“They spent over three hours at the hospital morgue during the documentation before being attended to at Ughelli Central Hospital.
Only 11 days ago, youths in Okuama, Delta State killed 18 army officers and men who had gone to the community on a peace mission.
The soldiers were from 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Defence Headquarters in a chilling update on Friday on the killing confirmed the recovery of the decomposing hearts of some of the victims.
It said the hunt for the perpetrators was intensifying but no significant arrest had been made yet.
