THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested eight suspects over the killing of six policemen in Ughelli, Delta State on Friday, February 24.
The slain officers were on a mission to rescue their colleagues who were earlier ambushed at the exact location where they were attacked and killed in the state.
Six of the officers on rescue mission were killed, while six others were declared missing.
The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the suspects’ arrest on Saturday, March 30, in a statement.
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According to the police, the arrest came after a thorough investigation.
“Five suspects were initially arrested shortly after the incident, and an additional three suspects have been apprehended, at different locations, following the statements and cooperation of the initially arrested suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to eight.
“The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the ongoing investigation,” Adejobi stated.
The NPF said it was committed to ensuring that all those responsible for the attack are brought to justice swiftly.
The NPF further assured that the suspects would soon have their day in court, with credible evidence, once investigations are concluded.
It noted that it was deeply saddened by the heinous act of violence against its officers who were diligently performing their duty to protect and serve the community.
The Force sympathised with the families of the fallen officers.
The ICIR reported on March 23 that the NPF expressed sadness over the gruesome murder of the six officers while investigating the disappearance of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State.
The police confirmed that six other officers who participated in the patrol were missing in action.
A statement by Adejobi on March 23 noted that the “brave officers tragically fell victim to a cowardly ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State.”
Adejobi also noted that the bodies of six of the slain officers were recovered after a fierce search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits.
He further said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had mandated the expedited processing and payment of all entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers, in a bid to alleviate their pains.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it had raided some camps belonging to insurgents who attacked some police formations in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday.
Ikenga added that the police-led joint security force carried out the raid on Friday, March 29, as directed by the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye.
He added that operatives of the command recovered six explosive devices during the raid.
A reporter with the ICIR
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