Kebbi: Bandits kill three policemen, gov reacts

Egbetokun

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has declared that anyone caught conspiring with bandits in the state will face the full wrath of the law.

Idris spoke after three police officers were killed by Lakurawa bandits who attempted to kidnapped some travellers in the state on Friday.

Some of the assailants were also killed by the police who repelled the attack, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar.

The incident occurred around 7pm along the Zogirma–Tilli Road in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.

Abubakar, in a statement on Saturday, said the police acted on intelligence that the bandits were sighted in a nearby forest, planning to kidnap commuters.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Zogirma mobilised a response team and engaged the criminals with the support of personnel from the No. 36 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Birnin Kebbi,” he said.

The PPRO added that the joint team confronted the Lakurawa bandits in a gun duel, during which several of the attackers were killed while others fled into the forest with gunshot wounds.

“However, three police personnel were killed during the exchange of gunfire,” he said.

Abubakar said the Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, described the deceased officers as gallant and commended their bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 223 Light Battalion, Zuru, also repelled an attempted invasion of Ribah town by over 400 heavily armed bandits.

The attack occurred on Wednesday when the bandits launched a coordinated assault on the town but were met with stiff resistance from the soldiers.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that firefight ensued, resulting in the death of many of the attackers. Punch