The Guardian (Nigeria)

Four policemen killed in gun battle with armed bandits

- From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna

FOUR policemen yesterday lost their lives in a gun-battle with armed bandits in Kaduna State in a fresh confrontat­ion with insurgents in the state.

The incident occurred in Jankasa village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna when suspected armed bandits ambushed a team of police officers killing four of them.

The bloody gun-battle occurred after a team of policemen went into a bush in the area to carry out a special operation, where there was reports that some kidnappers reside in the troubled area.

The deceased were said to be from the Intelligen­ce Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force headquarte­rs in Abuja.

A farmer at Rigasa community, who pleaded for anonymity and whose farm was located along the route where the incident occurred, said that gunshots were heard for long periods.

According to him, “I was about to visit my farm when we heard gunshots. We also saw smoke coming from a Fulani community that was close to the farm. I heard that four policemen were killed during the shootout. In fact, I decided not to proceed to the farm for fear of the unknown.”

Meanwhile, the police command in Kaduna has confirmed that four of its operatives had died during a gun duel with bandits in the state. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Deputy Superinten­dent of Police Sabo Yakubu, said “a team of detectives attached to IGP Intelligen­ce Response Team while on operation along Jankasa village of Rigasa, was ambushed by bandits.”

According to Yakubu, “after a fierce gun battle, four of our policemen paid the supreme sacrifice.”

He pointed out that no arrest had so far been made but assured that all the command has set its machinery on motion to apprehend the culprits and prosecute them. He added that a team of reinforcem­ent had been mobilised to the area in order to bring the perpetrato­rs to book.

“We appeal to the general public to assist the police with useful informatio­n toward ensuring that the perpetrato­rs of this dastardly act are arrested and prosecuted,” Yakubu added.

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