The Bayelsa State police command has confirmed that one of its personnel was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Sunday while standing guard in front of a police station in Sagbama, Bayelsa State.

Police Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa State, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident on Monday, adding that the police had launched a manhunt for the killers.

The police spokesman added that the motive of the murderers remain unknown as they did not take the rifle of the slain sergeant.

“The policeman was killed on Sunday at about 8:30 pm in front of the Sagabma Police Station by two unknown gunmen on an unregistered motorcycle,” Butswat said.

“We are working to establish the motive behind the dastardly act because they didn’t stop. We recovered the rifle of the dead policeman.

“They shot at the policemen and zoomed off but we have swung into action and some people have volunteered useful information.”

Eye witnesses who talked to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said the incident threw the entire policemen at the station into confusion as they all scampered for safety.

It was gathered that the attackers shot at a group of policemen in front of the station with a pump action rifle, hitting the sergeant who was killed on the spot.

Those who spoke to journalists criticized the poor response of the other policemen at the station at the time wondering why they did go after the gunmen.