Two officers shot, many injured as bandits strike in Bayelsa

A police sergeant and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed on Sunday when gunmen attacked a team of “Operation Doo Akpor” in Bayelsa State.

The incident which happened at Okarki junction in Yenagoa witnessed exchanged of heavy gunfire between the security personnel and the hoodlums.

Operation Doo Akpo is the Bayelsa State Government joint task force that draws its personnel from the major security agencies in the state for the security of lives and property.

Some residents of Okarki junction told Daily Trust that the gunmen took the security team unaware and were able to overpower it and only retreated when reinforcement arrived.

According to them, the shooting continued for more than 30 minutes.

He said many security personnel in the team sustained injuries during the fire exchange.

According to him, the target of the hoodlums might be to seize the guns and ammunition from the security operatives.

Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the attack and the death of two security personnel in a statement on Monday, said the security men on duty were able to repel the gun attack.

He said: “Operatives of a Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Doo Akpor, repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at a nipping point at Okarki Junction, Yenagoa.

“On 5 September 2021, at about 2030hours, Operatives of Operation Doo Akpor, at Okarki Junction came under heavy fire by unknown gunmen.

“The gallant Operatives engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out and repelled them from attacking the nipping point.

“Unfortunately a Police Sargent and an Operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, sustained fatal gunshots wounds, which led to their death.”