A Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Mukhtar Sabiu, and four other policemen have been killed in a gun duel with bandits in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Niger State Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, on Sunday.

Abiodun disclosed that the police officers were killed by the bandits o Saturday.

The police spokesperson stated: “On 11/02/2023 at about 1100hrs, information was received that armed bandits were sighted around Kwakuti-Dajigbe villages area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around Gurara Local Government Area.

“Combined teams of police from Gawu-Babangida and Paiko Divisions, military, and vigilante members were drafted to the scene.

READ ALSO: Troops kill 4 bandits in Kaduna, recover arms

“The hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel and repelled with scores of them neutralised, while others escaped with bullet injuries.

“Regrettably, DPO Paiko Division, Superintendent of Police (SP) Mukhtar Sabiu, and four other police personnel from both divisions lost their lives during the gun duel.”

He added that the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Ogundele Ayodeji, later led a reinforcement team to the scene and recovered the bodies of the deceased personnel.

Ayodeji, however, condoled the families of the police officers, while reassuring the public that the police would not relent in their efforts to eliminate banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.

Meanwhile, the police tactical teams and vigilante members, on Friday, thwarted attempts by bandits to attack Chibani village market in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

The police spokesman said the gunmen were repelled without any incident, adding that normalcy has been restored in the area.

The Star