Gunmen, in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly killed three policemen on patrol duty at Okpanam in Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State.
Security sources said the incident occurred when the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Okpanam Division received a distress call from a community leader that the vigilante team in his street had been attacked.
The DPO was said to have detailed four men to the location.
However, as the patrol men drove out from the station, some armed men reportedly opened fire on them and three policemen were killed on the spot.
Identities of the deceased were given as ASP Eke Francis, Inspector Joshua Akengbo and Corporal Perekedo Unene.
The gunmen reportedly stole two AK47 rifle from the slain operatives.
The fourth policeman, Bassey Wisdom, who was injured, is said to be receiving treatment at the hospital.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.