From Matthew Aramunde,Lagos
Two police officers attached to the Owutu Police Division,in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, have been reportedly gunned down by suspected oil thieves.
It was gathered that some pipeline vandals had been arrested after a raid on their hideout and detained by the police at the station on Monday, but the vandals regrouped and attacked the Police Station, killing two police corporals in the process.
When our reporter visited the Police Station on Tuesday morning, there was palpable tension in the air as the area was cordoned off by
policemen.
Efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, proved futile as reporters were denied access to see him.However, sources at the Police Station disclosed that the incident may have escalated because of the police men’s alleged regular connivance with the oil thieves over the years.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Ken Nwosu who confirmed the incident told our reporter said that the
oil thieves engaged the policemen in a fierce battle in the midnight.
According to him, “The men numbering about 30 engaged the police in a gun duel and two of our officers lost their lives in the
process.
“The oil thieves sustained various degrees of injuries during the duel and they escaped. But our men are on their trail. “Investigation is ongoing as we are looking at bringing them to justice because this is really unlawful,” he added.
He declined to mention the names of the officers killed by the vandals who operate in Ikorodu saying that their identity would be
revealed in due course.
