Bandits kill five policemen, three local guards in Zamfara

Armed Bandits have killed five policemen and three Community Protection Guards (CPGs) along the Gusau-Funtua road in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The incident occurred when the victims were on patrol along the road on Thursday evening and were ambushed by the armed bandits in the state.

Source said “The victims were close to Gidan-Giye village, in Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government, when suddenly, the bandits came out of their hiding place, and opened fire on the vehicle conveying the police and CPGS personnel while on patrol”.

Regrettably, all the security men who were in the vehicle were killed on the spot.

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that its operatives successfully repelled an ambush by armed bandits along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway on Thursday afternoon.

According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the officers, led by ASP John Dogara, were on routine patrol around Gidan Giye village in Tsafe Local Government Area when they came under heavy attack from a large group of armed bandits.

The statement said the policemen bravely engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel, neutralizing several of them while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

Sadly, five gallant police officers lost their lives in the encounter.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, commended the courage and dedication of the fallen heroes and assured the public of the Command’s continued resolve to protect lives and property.

He added that normalcy has been restored to the area, while more reinforcements have been deployed to secure the highway and ensure the safety of travellers.

Meanwhile, Governor Dauda Lawal has since condoled the families of the affected security men.

On his Facebook page, Lawal expressed sadness over the incident and condoled the families of the affected officers.

He said, “To Allah we belong and to him we shall return”.

“I just received sad news of the death of eight security men, including policemen and the Community Protection Guards, who were ambushed and killed by bandits along the Gusau-Funtua road.

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