Gunmen kill policeman in Benue checkpoint

Policeman

A policeman attached to a Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Zenda along the Otukpo-Ohimini Road in Benue State has been killed by gunmen, PUNCH Metro learnt on Sunday.

The incident, according to a source who chose not to reveal their identity for security reasons, happened in Otukpo, the trado political seat of Idomaland, around 10:59 last weekend.

The source said that the operative was one of the security men at the checkpoint along the road when the gunmen shot at them.

The victim was identified as Inspector Akpan Ogbole of the Nigeria Police Force, while the second one was reported to be receiving treatment in the hospital.

A top police officer who did not want to be mentioned told journalists on Sunday that “A policeman and a member of the Nigeria Forest and Hunters who were at a checkpoint were shot by gunmen who were driving along Otukpo -Ohimini road at about 10:59 pm at the weekend.

“They were immediately rushed to Otukpo General Hospital for medical attention, but one of them died. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

When contacted on Sunday, the state command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the incident, said the matter is under investigation. Punch