The Nigeria Police on Monday confirmed that one of its personnel, a Sergeant and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed on Sunday when gunmen attacked a team of “Operation Doo Akpor” in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region.
The incident which happened at Okarki junction in Yenagoa witnessed exchanged of heavy gunfire between the security personnel and the hoodlums.
Bayelsa State Police Spokesperson, SP Asinim Butswat, said in a statement on Monday that though the two security operatives died in the encounter, security men on duty were able to repel the gun attack.
According to the statement by Butswat, “Operatives of a Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Doo Akpor, repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at a nipping point at Okarki Junction, Yenagoa.
“On 5 September 2021, at about 2030hours, Operatives of Operation Doo Akpor, at Okarki Junction came under heavy fire by unknown gunmen.
“The gallant Operatives engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out and repelled them from attacking the nipping point.
“Unfortunately a Police Sargent and an Operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, sustained fatal gunshots wounds, which led to their death.”
Operation Doo Akpo is the Bayelsa State Government Joint Task Force (JTF) that draws its personnel from the major security agencies operating in the State to secure lives and property.
Sources confirmed that the gunmen took the security team by surprise and were able to overpower them but had to retreat when reinforcements arrived.
The source noted that the exchange of gunfire lasted for more than 30 minutes with many security personnel in the team sustaining injuries.
The source added that the target of the gunmen might be to seize the guns and ammunition from the security operatives.
