Gunmen kill 2 policemen, kidnap Portuguese in Kogi

Gunmen have killed two policemen and kidnapped an expatriate construction engineer along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road, Lokoja local government area of Kogi State.

The gunmen were said to have killed the policemen that were guarding the expatriate who was working on a road construction project in the area.

The incident, which happened at about 7 pm on Monday, was said to have led to the death of a police inspector and a sergeant.

The hoodlums were said to have laid an ambush for the expatriate identified as Jose Mechada and the security attached to him.

Tribune Online further gathered that the gunmen had emerged suddenly from the bush while  Machada, a Portuguese Engineer was inspecting an ongoing road construction project being handled by AG Dangote Company Ltd.

The gunmen were said to have attempted to abduct the expatriate following which a gun duel ensued between them and the policemen

However, during the exchange of gunshots, the police sergeant, Gini John was shot dead on the spot, while the second policeman, Inspector Ezekiel Negedu who was also shot died later at the hospital.

After overpowering the policemen, the rampaging gunmen abducted the expatriate engineer and fled into the bush.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kogi State command, Mr William Aya, said the gunmen that carry out the operation were about 15.

He said the hoodlums invaded the construction site and engaged the men on guard duty at a construction site along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in a gun duel and that two of them died in the process while the expatriate was kidnapped.

He said the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of operations to mobilise operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (SARS), the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and conventional policemen to comb the bushes for the possible rescue of the abducted expatriate.

Aya said the Police Commissioner had visited the scene of the incident and had met with the management of the Dangote Company where he assured them of the efforts being made by the police to rescue the abducted expatriate.