7 Die As Police Clashes With Suspected IPOB Members In Asaba

By Omo Obazee, Asaba.

A gun duel between the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and suspected IPOB members has resulted to the death of at least seven persons in Asaba, capital of Delta State.

Investigations revealed that no fewer than four Police men, two IPOB members and a 75 years old woman lost their lives in the violent clash that occurred last Saturday.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ari Mohammed Ali who confirmed the killings said ” we killed two of them, but unfortunately two of our men were gun down, while stray bullet hit an old woman innocently”.

It was gathered that two other police officers died at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba where they were receiving treatment from the gun shots injuries they received while combating the IPOB fighters.

Mr. Ali explained that the police engaged the suspected IPOB members along Ugbolu/Illah road, Oshimili North Local Government Area, of the State, saying that the suspects carted away two Police service riffles while the police recovered two guns and charms from the fleeing IPOB members.

A soures said the IPOB members on getting to the police check point near Lake Town Hotel, suddenly opened fire on the policemen who immediately returned fire.

A Source added that two police officers were found dead when the dust had settled, adding, “the suspects asked us to reverse and go back to where we were going because they were not for us but out against the police.

“But as shooting was going on, so many passengers including me also ran into the bush for safety. But as the durst settled, we all came out and Police Hilux patrol vehicle and sienna buses later came to the spot”, the source who would not want his name in print alleged.

A source told our correspondent that the police patrol team started chasing the suspects’ vehicle heading to Asaba, and in the process of trying to deflate the tyres with bullets, a 75 years old woman simply identified as Mrs Okolo was hit by stray bullet.

According to the Delta State Police boss, “the people suspected to be IPOB, and when the Police was going after them, and in the course of demobilizing their vehicle, the bullets met the old woman innocently; we are still in search of other members with a view to track them down and recover our gun in their possession”.

Mr. Ali revealed that he was in talk with family of the 75 years old woman who was mistakenly killed by the police, “to see that something is done about it”.

He said however, that the family of the deceased gave some conditions, and that the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba was assisting the police to meet the conditions given by the woman’s family.

The also hinted that remains of the deceased has been deposited at a mortuary in Asaba.

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