The Bayelsa State Police Command on Wednesday denied reports that a policeman shot his colleague in a gun duel with suspected cultist.
The Command said it was one of the suspected cultists, identified as ThankGod Indoni, that was shot in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that police operatives responded to a distress call on Christmas eve about nefarious activities of the gang members, who opened fire on sighting them.
It was learnt that Indoni was hit by a police bullet and was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he later died.
Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), however, corrected the impression portrayed by a report that it was a policeman that shot a fellow policeman.
The spokesman said: “Contrary to an insinuation in report that a policeman mistakenly shot a colleague, the command wishes to state categorically that the report was false and misleading.
“On December 24, around 9pm, policemen responded to distress call in respect of cult activities at Aritalin in Yenagoa, the state capital.
“The team of policemen responded swiftly and on sighting the police team, the cult members opened fire on them.
“In the ensuing gun battle, one Thankgod Indoni, 23, a suspected cult member was shot. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for treatment where he later died.”
Butswat, who said investigation was on, added that the police have intensified efforts to arrest Indoni’s cohorts and bring them to book.
The command, he said, had intensified patrols and surveillance in the state.
