Four Die In Police, Robbers Clash In Rumuolumeni

The clash between men
of the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command and a gang of armed robbers, Monday, at Rumuolumeni axis in Obio/Akpor Local Government area of the state has claimed four lives and left many others injured.
The incident, which occurred afternoon period in Rumuolumeni community left the entire community  in chaos and anxiety.
The Tide gathered many people, including a police man and three others lost their lives during the exchange of gun battle between the police and the robbers.
The Tide further gathered the gun duel lasted for over thirty minutes before normalcy returned back to the most populated community in the area.
An eye-witness, Mr Ikechukwu Nwaubi, who spoke to our correspondent said the armed robbers stormed the hotel and a distress call was put to the police who responded swiftly to the scene which made the armed robbers to start shooting sporadically to scare people away so as to enable them escape.
According to the police who stormed and repelled them, the armed robbers were shooting on people while trying to run away, the  police engaged them in a shootout.
But at the end of the gun duel, the casualty stood at four while one police man lost his wife.
Another eye-witness, Mr Okon, described the incident as horrific and sad, urging youths to engage in meaningful ventures rather than chosing armed robbery as a trade.
“These men opened fire on anybody and vehicle coming on their way. Look at this Hilux vehicle with four occupants, they shot one person dead, three were seriously wounded, they thought that they wanted to block them with their vehicle.”
“We have to assist the ones with serious gun shots to the hospital for treatment,” he stated.
The police at the Rumuolumeni Division declined to speak, but referred our correspondent to the Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ahmad Mohammed whose line did not go through as at the time of filing this report.