A police Inspector, Christian Gbaratee, was k!lled by gunmen who ambushed a team of police officers along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road.
A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this via his X handle on Thursday, May 8.
Quoting police sources, Makama stated that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, while the officers were returning from a trip in Rivers State.
He also disclosed that the armed assailants, numbering five, were dressed in combat attire during the ambush.
He wrote, “A team of officers, including ASP Victor Eze and Inspector Nwanochi Ndubuisi, were returning from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when they were intercepted by five armed assailants dressed in combat attire. The attack took place on a narrow road after a filling station along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road, Asa.
“During the confrontation, Inspector Christian Gbaratee was shot dead, while Inspector Ekoro Isong went missing. The gun stolen from Gbaratee during the attack, as well as the suspect who had been in custody, were taken by the assailants.”
He further disclosed that a prompt response by the police led to the recovery of a Toyota Corolla and other items, including expended ammunition, a laptop, and three travel bags.
“Additionally, Inspector Isong later surfaced unharmed. The body of the late Inspector Gbaratee has been deposited at the Euro Allied Medical Centre Mortuary for autopsy.
“A search operation in collaboration with military personnel is ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the stolen firearm,” he wrote.