The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended 16 suspects linked to the murder of Insp Christiana Erekere in Bori on Thursday.
Spokesperson for the state police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed in Port Harcourt on Monday that Erekere was murdered while on duty at a checkpoint.
“She was killed following an altercation with a group of individuals travelling in a Lexus salon car, who were stopped for routine checks in front of Bori Police Station.
“After the occupants of the vehicle were stopped, they became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, disrupting the flow of traffic,’’ she stated.
Iringe-Koko stated further that following the completion of checks on the vehicle, officers on duty asked the occupants to vacate the road.
“Unfortunately, they refused to vacate the road, claiming that Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.
“In their attempt to forcibly seize Erekere’s phone, they pelted her with stones.
“Upon losing consciousness, Erekere was immediately transported to a hospital in Bori, where she tragically succumbed to the injuries sustained in the assault,’’ she stated.
Iringe-Koko also mentioned that the deceased officer’s body had been taken to a mortuary, awaiting an autopsy.
She reassured the public that those responsible for the heinous attack would be prosecuted if found guilty.
“The command expresses its deepest condolences to the family of our departed colleague during this difficult time,’’ Iringe-Koko stressed.
