Pirates kill policeman in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed that a mobile policeman was killed by suspected sea pirates in the state.

The policeman was said to have been gunned down by the bandits along the Ikebiri community, Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

The Nation gathered that the victim was among passengers of an open commercial boat heading for Koluama community when the incident occurred.

The commercial boat was reportedly attacked by the gunmen at about 6pm on Friday.

Two mobile policemen were said to be onboard the boat.

But one of them was reportedly shot dead after 15-minute gun battle between the policemen and the pirates.

The surviving mobile policeman who sustained serious injury was said to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

The deceased policeman and his colleague, according to the Police, were on a private visit to the state from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The efforts of the policemen were said to have saved the passengers from the sea robbers.

“The shoot out caused panic but we later discovered that one MOPOL lost his life and the civilians were saved,” a source who pleaded anonymity said.

When contacted on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the development.

Source: The Nation