Policeman killed as Deputy Governorship candidate escapes gunmen attack
An unidentified police officer was shot dead, while Dr. Innocent Barikor, the All Progressives Congress deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State, escaped death by a whisker at Port Harcourt’s GRA axis on Tuesday.
The assailants had opened fire on the cop in front of a club in the high-brow city center in what is suspected to be an assassination attempt on Dr. Barikor’s life.
According to reports, Barikor left his office on Tuesday night for a meeting in the area, unaware that the gunmen were following him.
It was also reported that the gunmen opened fire on the cop assigned to Barikor as soon as they spotted his vehicle, killing him on the spot.
The police, however, denied that the incident was an assassination attempt, but they did confirm that one of their operatives was killed.
Darlington Nwauju, the APC’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, confirmed the incident and stated that the late operative was Dr. Barikor’s orderly.
Nwauju demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and urged the Inspector-General of Police to step in.
“Yes, he (cop) works with Barikor. We are calling on the IGP to intervene and look into the incessant attacks on members of our party.
“It is unfortunate that this attack is coming a few days after Dr. Barikor was unveiled as the party’s deputy governorship candidate,” the state APC deputy spokesman said.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, when contacted confirmed that a cop was murdered, but said the report of the attempted assassination was false.
“Yes, but it was not an assassination. Actually, a policeman was shot. I think he was the target because they saw him with a rifle.
“Nothing happened to the candidate. We are investigating the incident and the place has been surrounded. If an arrest is made I will let you know,” Iringe-Koko stated.
