Two killed in Rivers police, hoodlum’s gun battle
A man simply identified as Nuhu was shot dead by the police after he went on a shooting spree, on Saturday, stabbing a police inspector multiple times and snatching his AK-47 rifle in the Ada George area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
It was learnt that the hoodlum said to be a scavenger also attacked another police officer who tried to stop him and reportedly took to his heels.
Our correspondent gathered that some passers-by and colleagues of the policeman whose rifle was snatched chased after him until he was out of sight.
On getting to a location called ‘Boro Pit’, the man was said to have started shooting indiscriminately with the snatched rifle and shot a man dead before the operatives arrived at the location.
On sighting the policemen, it was learnt that the miscreant became aggressive and engaged them in a shootout before he was gunned down.
A source who pleaded anonymity said, “This man (Nuhu) was believed to be on drugs. Even when the policemen saw him, he tried to shoot them and they repelled and shot him dead.”
Spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, while confirming the incident, said the unidentified man shot by the miscreant and the latter shot by the operatives died.
Iringe-Koko said, “The Rivers State Police Command on November 16, 2023, at about 1500 hrs received a message from DPO Rumukpakani Division that one hoodlum (male) identity yet unknown, ran towards Inspector Ade Rotimi attached to the APC pin-down point by Ada George Road with three others, suddenly stabbed him multiple times on his head, and collected his rifle.
“He also injured one Inspector Bala Yusuf on his hand and ran towards the Boro Pit Area.
“He started firing indiscriminately and shot two unidentified civilians before operatives swooped on him and prevented him from creating more havoc.”