By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
A divisional police officer (DPO) and four other officers were killed during a gun battle with bandits in Niger State.
The slain officers, according to reports, were killed while repelling attacks on communities in the state.
As contained in a statement from the state’s police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, on Sunday 12th, made available to Stonix News, the bandits attempted to invade communities in Munya and Gurara local government areas.
Stonix News learnt that on Friday 10th, the officers were able to repel the attack on a market in Munya LGA and also engaged the bandits in a gun battle during an attack on communities in Gurara LGA on Saturday.
The full statement goes thus:
“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.
“Regrettably, DPO Paiko SP Mukhtar Sabiu and four other police personnel from both divisions lost their lives during the gun duel.”
Abiodun, alongside Ogundele Ayodeji, commissioner of police in the state, led a team to the location to recover the bodies of the officers.
The commissioner extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the command will intensify its efforts in the fight against banditry.
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