Three police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and four local vigilantes, were reportedly shot dead during the exchange of bullets with suspected bandits in Nasko, Magama local government area of Niger state.
It was gathered that scores of terrorists were also neutralised by the police.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger state police command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Minna, on Tuesday.
He said: “On 15/03/2022 at about 1300hrs, armed bandits/terrorists invaded Nasko village, Magama LGA of Niger State. Police operatives with vigilante members were immediately mobilised by DPO Nasko and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle in which some the hoodlums were neutralised and others escaped with gunshot injuries.”
“Area Commander, Kotangora immediately drafted reinforcement with the military personnel to the area to forestall break down of law and order,” the statement further said.
The police spokesperson stated that the state’s Commissioner of Police,Bala Kuryas, has commiserated with the families of officers and vigilante members, who died during the ugly incident.
Kuryas reaffirmed that the command would not relent in its effort to curb terrorism in the state.
Meanwhile, four police officers and one civilian were also killed on Tuesday by terrorists in Kebbi state.
The hoodlums who launched the attack during the day reportedly visited GB Foods Africa limited, a Chinese company which is second largest factory in Nigeria that specialised in production of Tomatoes paste.
According to a source, the attackers had earlier sent a message three days ago to both residents and the company management, notifying them of their intent to attack them.
It was also gathered that residents of Ngaski town had flee the area for safety while the Chinese expatriates were put under safety and evacuated to Yauri enroute Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Spokesman of the state Police command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said that the gallant officers died while serving their nation.
