June 30 (THEWILL) — Gunmen attacked a police security checkpoint along the Mbodo-Aluu axis of Obiri Ikwerre Road in Rivers State on Monday night, killing two police officers and injuring another in a brazen assault that has heightened security concerns in the state.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the attack on Tuesday, saying the slain and injured officers were attached to the Aluu Divisional Police Station in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
THEWILL gathered that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. while the officers were carrying out a routine stop-and-search operation at the checkpoint. The gunmen reportedly opened fire on the operatives before fleeing the scene in a waiting vehicle.
The motive behind the attack was not immediately known, and no group had claimed responsibility as of the time of filing this report.
A video that surfaced on social media shortly after the incident showed the lifeless bodies of the two officers, still dressed in their police uniforms, lying in pools of blood at the scene. In the footage, an unidentified eyewitness alleged that the attackers had carried out a robbery in the area before turning their guns on the policemen.
“You can see, it happened now. Armed robbers came here and robbed everybody. They killed these policemen. Look at their bodies,” the eyewitness said in the video. THEWILL could not independently verify the claims made in the footage.
A visit by THEWILL correspondent to the Mbodo-Aluu area on Tuesday revealed that normal activities had resumed, although residents and business owners declined to comment on the incident, apparently out of fear.
Confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, said two officers were killed while a third officer sustained gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
“Yes, I can confirm. Two of our men died, and the other one was injured and is receiving treatment in the hospital,” Agabe said.
She disclosed that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, accompanied by members of the Command’s management team, visited the scene on Tuesday morning for an on-the-spot assessment.
“The Commissioner of Police, with other members of the Command’s management team, visited the scene of the incident this morning to assess the situation, and the investigation is ongoing,” she added.
The attack comes barely 24 hours after the Rivers State Police Command announced the arrest of a suspected high-profile criminal, Austine Emenike, popularly known as “Oyibo.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command said operatives recovered one locally made pistol, four single-barrel guns, and five live cartridges from the suspect, who is believed to be linked to a wider criminal network operating within the state.
While no arrests had been announced as of the time of this report, Agabe said investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and track down those responsible for the deadly assault.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
