From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday and an operative of a private security guard, OSPAC , Ngozi Ipah by gunmen suspected to be cultists in Ahoada East Local Government area of Rivers State.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday said during the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot dead while a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday, who she said was on special duty at the Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) was also shot dead.
Koko alleged that the attack was carried out by suspected cultists led by two men, Umegbewe Kingsley a.k.a. ‘Gutam’ and one Opaka believed to be leaders of the Iceland cult group, who stormed the OSPAC office beside the Ahoada East Council Secretariat and opened fire on its operatives.
“During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot. While escaping, the assailants also gunned down a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
“Responding swiftly, Police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already fled. Both victims were rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy,” she said.
She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju has visited the scene and deployed tactical teams to the area.
She also said the Commissioner of Police has directed the Area Commander and DPO to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
She further said that the CP has vowed that the killers of the police officer and the OSPAC operative will not escape justice and urged residents to remain calm and cooperative by reporting any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station.
