Gunmen Kill 2 Policemen, Kidnap Portuguese In Kogi

Two policemen were killed by unknown gunmen and an expatriate abducted at a construction site in Kogi State  The gunmen were said to have killed the policemen that were guarding the expatriate who was working on a road construction project in the area. 

The incident, which happened at about 7 pm on Monday. The deceased include a police inspector and a sergeant.  The attack occurred along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road, Lokoja local government area. 

The hoodlums were said to have laid ambush for the expatriate identified as Jose Mechada.  It was gathered that the gunmen had emerged suddenly from the bush while Machada, a Portuguese Engineer was working on the project handled by AG Dangote Company Ltd. 

The gunmen were said to have attempted to abduct the expatriate which led to a gun duel with the policemen.  However, during the exchange of gunshots, the police sergeant, Gini John was shot dead on the spot, while the second policeman, Inspector Ezekiel Negedu who was also shot, died later at the hospital. 

After overpowering the policemen, the rampaging gunmen abducted the expatriate engineer and fled into the bush.  The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kogi State command,William Aya, said there were about gunmen that conducted the operation.

 He said the Commissioner of Police has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of operations to mobilise operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (SARS), the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and conventional policemen to comb the bushes.