The Nigerian police have confirmed that four officers were killed by suspected armed robbers in an ambush in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, on Saturday.
The police officers were on patrol at Uzebba-Aviosi junction along Ifon road, Sabongida-Ora, in the state, when the suspected robbers attacked their patrol vehicle, causing it to burst into flame.
The officers died inside the blaze, the police said in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the force headquarters, Jimoh Moshood.
Mr Moshood said the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered for an investigation to unravel those behind the killing.
The police have also pledged N5 million reward for anyone who could volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of the police officers.
“The Inspector General of Police condoles and sympathises with the families of the slain policemen and has directed prompt processing and payment of their entitlements and a befitting burial for them,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, met on Monday with security chiefs in the state over the incident.
Mr Obaseki condemned the killing, and placed N10 million bounty on the killers, as well as pledged the Edo state government support to the victims’ families.
Seven police officers were killed early this month in a similar ambush in Abuja.
The police said there was no link between the two killings.
Two police officers were also killed in an ambush last month in Akwa Ibom state.
