5 policemen, 3 other security operatives killed in Zamfara

Armed bandits have reportedly killed five policemen and three members of the Community Protection Guards during a patrol along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to a report by PUNCH, an eyewitness and resident of the area, Ya’u Musa, said the security operatives were ambushed on Thursday evening while patrolling the route.

Musa said, “The victims were approaching Gidan-Giye village, a few kilometres away from Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government, when suddenly, the bandits came out of their hiding place, and opened fire on their vehicle.”

According to him, all the officers in the patrol vehicle died instantly.

He added that the assailants might have been tipped off by informants about the movement of the personnel, who were reportedly assigned from Government House, Gusau, for a special operation.

“The affected securitymen were working at the Government House, Gusau and were sent to give protection to travellers along the Gusau-Funtuwa road due to persistent attacks by bandits on a daily basis,” Musa said.

“Unfortunately, a few minutes after they left Tsafe town, we heard gunshots very close to Gidan-Giye village as the bandits who were hiding beside the road opened fire, killing all of them instantly. Within a twinkle of an eye, the bandits rode their motorcycles and ran into the forest, leaving the eight securitymen dead.”

He explained that the remains of the victims were later taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Dauda Lawal expressed deep sorrow over the killings and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Posting on his Facebook page, the governor said, “To Allah we belong and to him we shall return. I just received sad news of the death of eight securitymen, comprising policemen and the Community Protection Guards, who were ambushed and killed by bandits along Gusau-Funtuwa road.

“May Allah forgive them and give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. We pray to Allah to bring an end to the insecurity problem affecting Zamfara State, the north and the entire nation.”