NO fewer than eight security operatives were feared killed when gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra launched a night attack on two checkpoints along the Airport Road, Omagwa, in the Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The attacks, which took place around 11.30pm on Saturday, were at the Joint Task Force checkpoint in Omagwa and the Nigeria Customs checkpoint at Isiokpo.
Sources in the area said the attacks were launched simultaneously on the two security locations.
The source said, “Two burnt corpses were recovered at the JTF checkpoint, while three were recovered at the Customs checkpoint and three other corpses were also recovered around the scene.
“A rifle each was stolen from the JTF and Customs officers while two Hilux vans with sirens were also taken away from the Customs officers.
“They attempted to attack Isiokpo Police Area Command, but policemen repelled them,” he added.
CP orders investigation
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the Saturday attacks.
Spokesman for the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, said, “I can confirm the attack on security personnel along the Omagwa-Isiokpo-Elele-Owerri Road; details sketchy.
The CP (Mr Friday Eboka), has launched a full scale investigation into the dastardly attack with a view to arresting the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.”
Killers must be fished out, face Justice, says Wike .
In a related development, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, on Sunday said those behind the attack must be fished out and made to face the law.
The statement reads, “The governor said there was no justification for such a heinous and condemnable attack targetted against innocent security personnel on legitimate duty of protecting lives and property in the state.
“We condemn this heinous act, share the grief of the security agencies and convey our sincere condolences. Governor Wike has therefore demanded that the perpetrators of the attack must be fished out and brought to justice.”
