Bandits kill ‘five police officers, three vigilantes’ in Zamfara

Bandits have killed five police officers and three community protection guards (CPGs) on patrol along the Gusau-Funtuwa road in Tsafe LGA in Zamfara state.

The police command was yet to make an official statement on the ambush, but Dauda Lawal, governor of the state, confirmed the killing of the security operatives in a post on Facebook.

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. May Allah rest their souls and grant their families the strength to bear this loss. We pray for an end to this security crisis in Zamfara, the North, and Nigeria.”

According to reports, Ya’u Musa, a witness, said the security personnel were on patrol on Thursday evening when they were attacked near Gidan-Giye village, just a few kilometres from Tsafe town, the LG headquarters.

“The bandits suddenly emerged from their hiding spots and opened fire on their vehicle,” Musa said.

“All the security men inside were killed instantly.”

Musa added that the bandits likely had prior information about the patrol, which involved officers who had come from the government house in Gusau, the state capital, on a special assignment to protect travellers along the road which is a hotspot for frequent attacks.

“Minutes after leaving Tsafe town, gunshots were heard near Gidan-Giye village. The bandits, who had been lying in wait, struck swiftly, killing all eight security operatives,” he said.

The assailants reportedly fled on motorcycles into the forest immediately after the ambush.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau.

Bandits kill 'five police officers, three vigilantes' in Zamfara | TheCable