No fewer than eight persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of its officers on a fact-finding mission in the Ughelli area of Delta, the Nigeria Police Force has said.
According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, the officers on a fact-finding mission on Feb. 23 ambushed while others on a rescue mission were also ambushed, resulting in the death of six police officers.
Adejobi said the arrest followed intensive investigative efforts of police operatives.
According to him, five suspects were initially arrested shortly after the incident, while an additional three were apprehended at different locations.
He said the arrest of the additional three followed statements and cooperation of those initially arrested five, adding that the suspects were currently in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.
He said the Nigeria Police Force was committed to ensuring that all those responsible for the murder and other similar crimes were arrested and brought to justice swiftly and decisively.
The police spokesman said the suspects would soon have their day in court, with credible evidence, once investigations were concluded.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers during this difficult time.
“We wish to reiterate that killers of our officers in this extant case and many others have murdered peace, and none of them will go unpunished,” he said.
The officers, who were on duty in the Ughelli area of the state, were killed on Feb. 23 and 26, with six others missing.
NAN