Tragically, a group of bandits have claimed the lives of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mukhtar Sabiu, who was in charge of Paiko Division, and four other officers in the Munya and Gurara Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The officers were killed during a shoot-out with the bandits who had attempted to raid local communities.
According to a local resident, Musa Idris, who had narrowly escaped, said the victims were shot and killed on Saturday along Kwakuti village, Minna-Suleja road.
The confirmation of the incident was provided by Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, in a statement released on Sunday.
He reported that the officers had managed to repel an attack on a market in Munya LGA on Friday and also engaged the bandits during an attack on communities in Gurara LGA on Saturday.
Although the police spokesman identified DPO Mukhtar Sabiu, the names of the other four officers who lost their lives in this violent encounter were not disclosed. Their loss is a great tragedy for their families and the police force.
The statement reads: “Regrettably, DPO Paiko SP Mukhtar Sabiu and four other police personnel from both divisions lost their lives during the gun duel.”
“On 10/02/2023 at about 1500hrs, suspected armed bandits/insurgents attempted to attack the Chibani village market via Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA.
“Police tactical teams and vigilante members mobilized to the market where the hoodlums were routed and successfully repelled without any havoc, though the situation caused some panic but normalcy was restored.
“Similarly, on 11/02/2023 at about 1100hrs, information was received that armed bandits were sighted around Kwakuti-Dajigbe villages area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around Gurara LGA.
“Combined teams of police from Gawu-Babangida Div and Paiko Div, military, and vigilante members were drafted to the scene, the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel and repelled with scores of them being neutralized, while others escaped with bullet injuries.”
In response to the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ogundele Ayodeji, led a team to the location to retrieve the bodies of the fallen officers. The police spokesman shared this information in his statement.
The Commissioner extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured the public that the police force will redouble their efforts in the fight against banditry. The loss of these brave officers serves as a reminder of the danger and sacrifice that law enforcement face in their efforts to keep communities safe.
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