Four policemen killed in gun battle with armed bandits

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.