Police, robbers in gun duel in Port Harcourt

There was a heavy shootout in Borokiri area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, as policemen engaged flee­ing suspected armed rob­bers in a gun duel.

The incident, which oc­curred in the early hours of yesterday, near Kolo­kuma Bus Stop lasted for about 20 minutes, causing pandemonium in the area, as people ran helter skelter to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

It was suspected that the three armed occupants of a Madza 626 saloon car were either returning from op­eration, or on their way to rob, but were accosted by policemen, who probably got a tip-off.

When the armed robbers sighted the policemen, they opened fire, but were over­powered by the policemen, forcing them to abandon the vehicle, their arms and fled.

However, two of the fleeing bandits were later arrested by policemen, while the driver escaped.