Delta CP Beefs Up Security At Police Headquarters, As Killing Of Officers Trends

.…Gunmen Kill 4 MOPOLs, Cart Away 4 AK-47 Rifles

By Ovasa Ogaga

Following the spate of recent attacks on policemen and police formations in different parts of Delta State, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Ali, yesterday ordered for security reinforcement at the state police headquarters in Asaba over fears of a likely attack.

Advocate.ng reports that the directive by the police boss is coming on the heels of the killing of two policemen and their AK-47 rifles taken away over the weekend by hoodlums who reportedly ambushed them at the Mile 5 area of Ugbolu and Illah communities near Asaba.

According to security sources from the state police headquarters, two other policemen also sustained life-threatening injuries during the attack and their rifles were also taken away by the hoodlums.

“As a result of the incident, the CP has ordered that all patrol teams must be in pairs and motorized rather than being static in order for them not to be taken unawares,” the source added.

Shedding light on the alleged planned attack on the state police headquarters, the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “In order not to be taken unawares pending when security is fully restored in all parts of the state, the CP today (Tuesday) had an emergency security meeting with all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Unit Commanders in the state to brainstorm on how to tackle the rise in criminalities in the state.”

Though the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Edafe Bright declined comments when contacted, according to the signal which was sighted by this correspondent and addressed to the commanders of the various police units, the CP directed them to deploy one patrol team each to the state police headquarters beginning from yesterday.

The signal with order number CB: 4001/DTS/DOPS/VOL39/485, reads in part, “In view of the recent security threats and attacks on policemen and formations in the command, it has become necessary to further fortify security at the State headquarters. With effect from today till further notice, you are to deploy one patrol team each with not less than six armed men on 24hourly basis at the state headquarters gate.”

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The statement, while warning the Unit Commanders to ensure strict compliance, also cautioned that all teams posted must be properly relieved before leaving their duty post.

In a related development, a mobile policeman was reportedly shot dead along the popular Airport Road in Effurun, by fleeing armed gunmen on Thursday afternoon.