2 policemen reportedly killed during vandals’ attack

According to a report by Punch, suspected pipeline vandals engaged policemen attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism in a gun battle yesterday in Igando, Lagos.

Unfortunately during the shootout, two of the police officers were killed, while others sustained bullet injuries. According to reports, two of the vandals, who were about 20 in number had broken 2 underground pipelines and were stealing fuel when the police team arrived on a tip off.


A witness said

“The clash occurred in the early hours of Thursday. The police were acting on a tip-off that those vandals were at the Obadore waterside with their tankers. So, the task force moved in and they were able to intercept the tankers. They seized three fuel-laden boats and two empty others. They arrested a female suspected pipeline vandal. As they made to leave the area, other vandals opened fire on the task force and the policemen replied. At the end of the shootout, two of the policemen were seriously wounded and two were killed. Some witnesses sustained gunshot injuries too. I do not know whether any suspects were arrested from the scene.”

A source, who spoke with the newspaper said that the injured officers had been rushed to the Igando General Hospital for treatment. He said,

“We cannot conclude that the two policemen are dead. Other officers, who were seriously wounded, have been rushed to the Igando General Hospital, and are receiving treatment presently. As we speak, there is a massive operation ongoing in the area as armed policemen have taken over everywhere. It was a major attack by the vandals on the task force."

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed a shootout in the area. He said, “Yes, there was a shooting incident in the area, which is being investigated by the police.”