Some unknown gunmen attacked the Department of State Security (DSS) head office in Lokoja, Kogi State, Friday night and killed a police officer, the police have said.
A security source who craved anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the issue told the Street Journal in Lokoja that the gunmen arrived in the DSS office at about 10:30 p.m. and blocked all the adjoining roads to the office, shooting at motorists from all directions.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Njoku, said a policeman was killed during the attack following which a combined team of the Police, Army and DSS later engaged the hoodlums in an exchange of fire.
Njoku, who said the police had begun investigation into the causes of the attack, the motive, among others, assured the public that the police were always on alert and would always work in collaboration with other security agencies to tackle security challenges in the state.
He said: “Our mandate is to keep the environment and Kogi free and safe for Nigerians to go about their lawful businesses.
“Criminals live in our midst. Don’t hide them, criminals don’t respect persons. If you are not a victim today you may be a victim tomorrow if you don’t report criminal elements in your midst.’’
The Commissioner of Police who could not confirm whether the attackers were Boko Haram insurgents or not, however, said all he knew was that the gunmen were criminal elements.
He, therefore, advised members of the public to partner with the police in the fight against crimeby providing the security agents with prompt and useful information at all times.
“We should have an understanding that there is no way you can solve crime without community involvement,’’ Njoku said.
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