The incident, which oc­curred around midday, report­edly led to a brief exchange of gunfire between the assailants and other police operatives on duty in the area.

Eyewitnesses said the at­tackers drove a black Lexus RX jeep from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main gate axis and attempted to evade the routine security checks mounted by officers.

The source further narrat­ed that after passing the first checkpoint, the occupants of the vehicle allegedly divert­ed into a nearby close, upon sighting a second police post ahead.

According to the witness, the Inspector approached the diverted vehicle when the occupants suddenly stopped, stepped out, and opened fire on him at close range.

The attackers were also said to have taken the officer’s service rifle before fleeing the scene.

As the suspects sped away, they reportedly exchanged gunfire with other officers stationed in the area before escaping.

Confirming the incident, the Edo State Police Command expressed deep regret over the death of the officer, who was attached to the Ekiadolor Area Command.

The Command stated that he died in the line of duty while carrying out a lawful stop-and-search operation.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the Command explained that the incident occurred at about 12 noon when an unregistered, black, heavily tinted Lexus SUV approached the check­point and refused to stop when flagged down by police operatives.

It was gathered that the suspicious behaviour of the occupants prompted further attempts to subject the vehicle to standard security checks, during which one of the oc­cupants allegedly opened fire on the officer at close range before speeding off.

The Command has since launched a full-scale investi­gation and intensified a man­hunt for the perpetrators.

All available intelligence and operational assets have been mobilised to track down the suspects and ensure that they are brought to justice.