The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agbarho Police Station and his counterpart in Ororokpe, in Delta state and several of his men, were tragically killed and injured on Monday in an attempt to rescue kidnapped victims.
The police team came under heavy fire from the kidnappers when the DPO, identified as CSP Jega, and his team were ambushed by armed kidnappers near the Agbarho Rail Station around 1am on Monday.
Sources indicate that police had received emergency calls at 1:30 am about some victims who had been kidnapped near the Agbarho Railway Station.
The DPO swiftly mobilised for a response, unaware that they were walking into an ambush set by the kidnappers.
The DPO was killed instantly, and his Ororokpe counterpart, simply identified as CSP Paul sustained serious injuries and is currently in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital.
There are unconfirmed reports of additional casualties among the police team, and while there were also injuries among the kidnappers, the exact numbers remain unclear.
According to inside source, “There were distress calls at about 1:30am on Monday to the new DPO that some persons had been kidnapped and their vehicle was trapped along the Agbarho Railway Station.
“Immediately, the new DPO contacted his Orerokpo counterpart and mobilised and went to the area, but unknown to them that the kidnappers had led ambush and as soon as the kidnappers sighted the Police team, immediately they opened fire at them.
“The new Agbarho DPO was killed instantly, and his Ororokpe counterpart, another DPO, was seriously wounded and is currently on the danger list in an undisclosed hospital,” the source revealed.
Human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe shared the news on Facebook, expressing his sorrow and condolences.
He noted that the new DPO had only recently taken office and had dealt with a previous issue concerning the conduct of his officers.
Joe conveyed his sympathies to the families of the fallen officers and urged the police force to take decisive action against those responsible.
“The New DPO Agbarho who resumed two days ago, the DPO Ororokpe CSP Paul and their men, who went for a kidnap rescue operations at about 1am in the early hours of today (Monday) were ambushed close to the Agbarho Rail Station.
“There was an exchange of fire, the new DPO, and some police men were killed while the Ororokpe DPO has been rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he is battling with his life.
“I feel very pained about this news. This was the same DPO I spoke with yesterday (Sunday) about the conduct of his men who demanded money from a citizen, and he rescued the situation immediately, cautioning his men not to try that again under his watch.
“This is very tearful, I can, to some extent, attest to the characters of these men.
“I wish to convey my condolence to the Nigeria Police Force, the CP Delta State Command, entire family and friends of the police who lost their lives in a quest to save society in the front line of duty. None of these demons should be spared by the force”, Joe said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, SP Bright Edafe, has not responded to requests for comment as of the time of this report.
