Gunmen believe to be crude oil thieves attacked a Police check point and Police Divisional headquarters in Kolo Community of Ogbia local government area council of Bayelsa state, killing a Police Sargent and carting away his service rifle.
The incident, which occurred at about 8pm on Monday, provoked confusion in the community with indigenes and Policemen attached to the Kolo Divisional headquarters scampering for safety.
Also seriously injured in the attack was a Police Corporal and two civilians from Kolo and Oloibiri communities of Ogbia local council.
While a community source told newsmen that the attackers, numbering about four and armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, were stopped for a stop and search at the check point and on discovery of bunkered kerosene in their vehicle, they opened fire at the policemen.
An indigene of the community, who tried to assist the police was also attacked with machete.
Authorities of the Bayelsa state Police Command through its spokesperson, Astim Butswat, confirmed that the police sergeant was killed and his firearm stolen.
“The Bayelsa state command wishes to use this medium to inform the general public that on 4th of September,2017 at about 2030hrs, policemen on vehicular patrol along Kolo 2 in Ogbia local government area were attacked by unknown gunmem.
“Two of the suspects were arrested and handcuffed having resisted attempt to search their vehicle and in the ensuring uproar, members of the community gathered around the vehicle and rescued the arrested suspects and the policemen were attacked”, the police statement added.
