Gunmen have shot dead a police officer in a midnight attack at the Toru-Orua residence of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
The bandits were said to have invaded Dickson’s compound through the Forcados River on Wednesday night.
The slain officer was among a team of police personnel guarding the former governor’s home.
He was said to have died on the spot.
Confirming the development, Bayelsa State Police Command in a statement made available to ABN TV on Thursday by SP Asinim Butswat, PPRO in the state said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mike Okoli has visited the scene of the incident.
While extolling the gallantry of the slain officer, an inspector, the Commissioner of Police condoled with his family.
The statement read in part, “On 19 November 2020, at about 0200 hours, unknown gunmen in three speedboats who came through the Forcados River attempted to invade the residence of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at the riverine community of Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area, but were repelled by Policemen on duty.
“An Inspector of Police who sustained gunshot injuries resulting from the fierce encounter with the gunmen later died and his corpse has been deposited at the mortuary.
“The Command condoles with the family and relatives of the Inspector of Police who fought gallantly with his team to prevent the gunmen from invading the residence.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Mike Okoli fsi, have visited the scene and appeals to members of the community to remain calm as the command is working assiduously to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book”.