A deadly attack launched by gunmen suspected to be bandits/insurgents has led to the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Paiko, SP Mukhtar Sabiu and four other police personnel.
Findings revealed that the DPO and the men were killed in a gun duel with the bandits who have been terrorising some parts of Kafin Koro area and Lambata axis of Paikoro and Gurara local government areas respectively.
It was learnt that since the arrest of the supplier of food to the bandits in a forest around Gurara the bandits have constantly attacked targets around the area.
Confirming the incident, the police public relations officer Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun said information was received that bandits were sighted around Kwakuti-Dajigbe villages area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around Gurara local government area.
He said, “A combined team of police from Gawu-Babangida Division and Paiko Division, military and vigilante members were drafted to the scene, the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel and repelled with scores of them being neutralized, while others escaped with bullet injuries.
“Regrettably, DPO Paiko SP Mukhtar Sabiu and four other police personnel from both Divisions lost their lives during the gun duel.”
Similarly, he said suspected bandits attempted to attack the Chibani village market via Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA but police tactical teams and vigilante members mobilised to the market and the hoodlums were routed and successfully repelled without any havoc.
He said the commissioner of police, Niger State Command, CP Ogundele J. Ayodeji, led a reinforcement team to the scene and recovered the bodies of the deceased personnel.
“He condoles with the families of the affected personnel, while he reassures members of the public that the Command will not relent in the fight against banditry and other criminality in the state,” Abiodun added.