By Austin Ogwuda
ANGERED by the sad news over the deadly ambush by a kidnap syndicate leading to the killing of the newly posted Divisional Police Officer DPO at Agbarho, Delta State, early on Monday morning, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D has directed that the killers be smoked out immediately.
Inside sources hinted The Townhall that even before the IG’s order came, the State Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwobda had despatched a high powered intelligence team to comb the entire Ughelli axis in search of the fleeing kidnap suspects that committed the attrocious act in the wee hours of Monday.
The source further hinted that investigation should spread dragnet widely as “to ascertain if it was not partly an inside job”.
….. PPRO claims it was only the Agbarho DPO that was killed
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Delta State, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police SP has broken silence over the gory incident.
He was quoted by PUNCH Metro that actually “They (the police team) were ambushed. But it was only the DPO that we lost”, he claimed.
….. Picture of the killed DPO removed
Investigation has shown that the picture of the killed DPO, said to be identified as CSP H. Jega has been pulled off from available Nigeria Police Force platforms searched as at the time of this report and in its place written “Missing: CSP H Jega”.
Although, The Townhall is in possession of the picture but deliberately withheld publishing same for the sake of sensibility and to also get confirmation that the picture is the actual man killed from the rightful official source.
Information at our disposal disclosed that the new DPO who lodged in a hotel with the wife dashed out of the room as soon as distress calls came, leaving the wife behind, unfortunately not knowing that it was going to be a journey of no return.
The Townhall had earlier reported that the felled DPO was posted to Agbarho Police Division in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State just two days ago.
According to sources, there were distress calls at about 1.30am on Monday to the new DPO that some persons had been kidnapped and their vehicle was trapped along the Agbarho Railway Station.
“Immediately, the new DPO contacted his Orerokpo counterpart and mobilised and went to the area but unknown to them that the kidnappers had led ambushed and as soon as the kidnappers sighted the Police team immediately opened fire at them.
“The new Agbarho DPO was killed instantly and his Orerokpo counterpart, another DPO was seriously wounded and currently on danger list in an undisclosed hospital.
Some other Policemen in the rescue team were reportedly killed also but the actual number of the casualties on the side of the Police were not immediately ascertained as at the time of this report.
There were also casualties, according to the source within the kidnappers’ camp but actual figure unknown.
Delta-based Human Rights Activist, Comrade Israel Joe, in a Facebook post stated that “A devastating blow to the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
There was an exchange of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of the new DPO and several officers. The Orerokpe DPO was rushed to a hospital, where he is currently fighting for his life.
“I am deeply pained by this news. Just yesterday, I had a conversation with the DPO about the conduct of his officers, and he swiftly addressed the issue, cautioning his men against any misconduct under his watch. This loss is heartbreaking, as I can personally attest to the integrity of these officers.
“I extend my condolences to the Nigeria Police Force, the Delta State Command, and the families and friends of the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. None of these criminals should be spared”, Comrade Joe Israel added.
