Tension in Bayelsa as gunmen ambush police patrol team, cart away riffle

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have attacked a police patrol team on Kolo-Ogbia road in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

A police inspector reportedly sustained injury in the attack while his riffle was seized.

According to a source from Kolo community, the incident occurred few minutes to midnight on Monday.

He said when residents heard the shooting, they thought it was militants that were attacking the community.

Although there are unconfirmed reports that a police Inspector was killed, police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, said that the Inspector only sustained injury.

Butswat, while confirming the incident on the Bayelsa State Police media WhatsApp group, said investigation is ongoing.

He said: “Police officers who were conducting stop and search operations along Kolo-Ogbia Road, were attacked by gunmen suspected to be cultists, on 11 October, 2021, at about 2245hours.

“A Police inspector was fatally injured and his riffle was carted away. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the gunmen and recover the stolen riffle.” he said. (Daily Trust)