Three policemen, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) lost their lives in the early hours of Tuesday during a gun battle with gunmen at the residence of Pastor Jerry Needam, the special adviser on Media and Publicity to the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, in Woji Estate, Port Harcourt.
LEADERSHIP learnt the slain policemen were part of a team that responded to a distress call by Need am following the invasion of his residence by the gunmen.
Speaking to newsmen later, the PDP chairman’s media aide, said his private security guard, who was wounded during the gun battle is currently receiving medical attention in s private hospital in Port Harcourt, pointing out that the invasion and attempt on his life by the gunmen was the third in the past 18 months.
He stated that the daredevil men stormed his residence in the wee hours of yesterday and shot sporadically for over two hours to gain entrance into the compound, before the arrival of the policemen, who engaged the gun men in a fierce gun battle.
Needam insisted that the mastermind of the kidnap and assassination attempt were his political opponents who desperately want him silenced following his strong political views and his penchant for speaking the truth.
He said he had already spoken with the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, who expressed confidence in the ability of the Command to investigate the matter and fish out those behind the assassination attempt on his life and entire household.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, who confirm the attack and killing of the policemen, said the paid the supreme price.
