Four policemen have been killed and one officer kidnapped in an ambush on a police convoy by bandits along Birnin-Gwari Funtua Highway in Kano State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Sunday.
According to the police, 16 of its officers were attacked in the ambush, which happened on Friday.
The officers who are personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder were deployed to Niger State in the sustained operation to reclaim public space and tackle incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in the area.
Mba stated that the officers were heading back to their base in Kano after the completion of their special duty when they were ambushed.
The police spokesperson said a fierce gun-battle ensued, leading to the death of the four officers.
He, however, did not disclose the name of the deceased officers.
He noted that contrary to unconfirmed reports that 18 officers were kidnapped, only 16 were attacked, with 11 of them successfully repelling the attack “accordingly and neutralized the bandits in their tens while many of the bandits scampered into the bush with gunshot injuries”.
He stated that the 11 officers led by their Unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues, while concerted efforts are being intensified to rescue the officer still missing.
Mba noted that Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police, while commiserating with the families of the officers who have yet again paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, assured that their death shall not be in vain.
