Adejobi said security operatives are still in the hunt for the missing officers.
The Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, has explained that it is unlawful for anyone to declare six officers who were missing in Delta State as dead persons at the moment.
Recall that some policemen were reportedly killed in Ohoro Forest, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State and the same number were declared missing after they were ambushed during a rescue mission of their colleagues.
However, giving an update on the issue when he appeared on Channels TV, Adejobi said security operatives are still in the hunt for the missing officers.
“Up till now, according to the provisions of the law, we are still searching for the six persons. Nobody can declare them dead. Hopefully, we are going to get them,” he said.
He added that police are required by law to wait for some time before declaring the slain officers dead, saying the law states that people are only pronounced dead when their corpses are recovered.
“We did not come out to say it on time because we were actually waiting to get the corpses – we were able to recover six,” he added.
He continued, “We have been able to arrest nine of them (the suspects). We first arrested five of them. Last week, we made additional arrest of three and I think on Sunday, we arrested another one."
“These are suspects directly involved in the killing, not just any Tom, Dick and Harry or passersby.”
SaharaReporters had also reported how about 17 soldiers were also killed while on a peace mission in the Okuama hamlet of Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA), in an incident that sparked widespread indignation and criticism.
During their funeral last week, military officials vowed to track down the perpetrators of the attack, but emphasised that the tragedy would not dissuade them from eliminating criminals from the country.
President Bola Tinubu also bestowed posthumous national medals on the dead soldiers and provided scholarships for their children.
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