Suspected Kidnappers Kill Two Policemen, Kidnap Two Lebanese Expatriates In Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Wednesday killed two policemen and abducted two Lebanese nationals in Bayelsa State.

The incident occurred at the riverside town of Onuegbum in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

The identities of the slain policemen attached to a construction firm, Pache, dredging sand in the area, could not be immediately ascertained.

The deceased policemen were said to be a Sergeant and Corporal.

But the Lebanese were identified as Sarki Abi Chmouli and Ibrahim Abi Pherem.

Eyewitnesses said the invaders, numbering eight and armed with dangerous assault rifles, stormed the company, a few metres away from the community, about 12.30pm through the waterways in two speedboats.

The gunmen were said to have repeatedly shot sporadically into the air to whittle down any possible resistance.

The development, it was learnt, caused the workers to scamper for safety.

The situation, it was further learnt, led to a gun battle between the two policemen and the suspected kidnappers.

It was learnt that during the encounter, the policemen were shot by the invading gunmen, who also succeeded in kidnapping the two Lebanese.

The gunmen were said to have escaped through the waterways.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the corpse of the slain policemen had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre for autopsy.

Butswat said, “We have alerted the marine component of the Police, the Joint Task Force and the Navy.”

Culled From:

Punch Newspaper