Port Harcourt — It was leant that the incident occured about 11am, sending residents of the old Port Harcourt township popularly called 'Town' scampering for safety.

Daily Trust also gathered that the assailants - suspected to be members of a cult group - had trailed one of their targets who was in the company of two ladies, a friend and the policemen to a popular joint near number 10 Harbour Road.

An eye witness who did not want his name in print said as soon as the victims finished drinking, they hoped into a Toyota Camry car, but had scarcely driven off, when the hoodlums numbering about four blocked the vehicle they were driving in and rained bullets on the car, killing all six occupants on the spot.

Motorists, who were around scene of the attack took to their heels to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Residents of the area are now living in fear of possible reprisal attacks.

The eyewitness also said that the gunmen did not take any property belonging to their victims.

"From the way they operated, I suspect that they are not armed robbers because nothing was taken away from the vehicle. They only came close to the car and shot those inside it.

"We gathered that two policemen were killed during the attack. Two ladies and two men were also involved. The gunmen operated like members of a cult group and people within the area are still afraid of similar (reprisal) attacks," he explained.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed the incident.