By Davies Iheamnachor
PORT HARCOURT – No fewer than five policemen were, Monday morning, killed during a gun battle with suspected cultists in Okobe community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A civilian reported to be a bus conductor was also among the persons killed in the alleged ambush.

Vanguard gathered that the police officers were intercepted by the unidentified hoodlums on the Okobe axis of the East-West road and there was heavy exchange of firearm.

A community source who related the development to Vanguard said the police officers were overpowered during the gun duel because they were caught unawares.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that hoodlums were on the prowl in the area, adding that police had visited in respect of that.

The source noted that the policemen were trailing criminals in the area before they were ambushed and killed.

He added that no casualty was recorded on the side of the hoodlums, revealing that the only civilian that died in the incident was the conductor of the bus which the police officers had used in disguise during the operation.