The gunmen killed a yet-to-be-identified policeman during the incident that occurred in front of a club in the city centre.
The running mate to the Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Innocent Barikor, on Tuesday night narrowly escaped death at the GRA axis of Port Harcourt, the state capital during an attack by gunmen.
The gunmen killed a yet-to-be-identified policeman during the incident that occurred in front of a club in the city centre.
According to The PUNCH, the assailants opened fire on the police officer in what is suspected to be an assassination attempt on Barikor’s life.
Barikor had reportedly left his office on Tuesday night for a meeting in the area, but unknown to him, the gunmen were on his trail.
The gunmen aimed at the policeman attached to Barikor immediately they sighted his vehicle, killing him on the spot.
But the police in the state have denied that the incident was an assassination attempt. The police, however, confirmed that one of its operatives was killed.
Also confirming the incident, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Darlington Nwauju, called for a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene.
Nwauju said, “Yes, he (cop) works with Barikor. We are calling on the IGP to intervene and look into the incessant attacks on members of our party.”
“It is unfortunate that this attack is coming a few days after Dr. Barikor was unveiled as the party’s deputy governorship candidate,” the state APC deputy spokesman said.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident and the death of the police officer however said that the report of the attempted assassination was false.
Iringe-Koko stated, “Yes, but it was not an assassination. Actually, a policeman was shot. I think he was the target because they saw him with a rifle.
“Nothing happened to the candidate. We are investigating the incident and the place has been surrounded. If an arrest is made, I will let you know.”