Gunmen suspected to be cultists in the early hours of Saturday attacked a police patrol team at Banga camp across Swali bridge in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state, killing one officer.

A source in Swali community said that the hoodlums who took the security operatives unaware, engaged them in a shootout which lasted for a while.

According to the source, the attackers also detonated some explosive devices, which resulted in heavy smoke in the area.

It was also gathered that policemen on duty were able to repel the attack and chased the attackers into a nearby forest.

Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said operatives were on the trail of the hoodlums, while investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the attack.

He confirmed that a police officer who was hit by the attackers’ bullet later died in the hospital.

He said the attackers fled into the bush with bullet injuries, while the officer and a child who were hit by bullet in the process are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. (Daily Trust)