Suspected gunmen have killed three anti-riot policemen near the popular Agor Market, along the Igarra-Auchi Road in Edo State.
The hoodlums reportedly injured another operative when they opened fire at a police checkpoint on Thursday.
According to The Nation, eyewitnesses said the unsuspecting policemen put up a gallant fight to exchange fire with the gunmen.
It was gathered that during the exchange of gunfire, one of the attackers died while another sustained injuries.
The injured gunman was said to have been quickly moved by policemen to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and interrogation.
Six rifles belonging to the attackers believed to have come from Okenne in Kogi State were recovered from their hideouts by vigilante members.
The Nation reported that the head of the vigilance group in the area, Ibukun Dogo, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) called that his men were attacked, making him to quickly mobilise vigilantes to the scene.
Dogo said he and his men saw bodies of the three policemen and they traced the attackers to their hideouts.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Chidi Nwabuzor, however, said he was yet to get details of the incident.