The Nigeria Police says it lost four of its officers during exchange of gun fire with bandits along the Birnin-Gwari Funtua highway.
The Force which also dismissed reports that 18 Policemen were kidnapped by bandits, clarified that 16 of its personnel were attacked in the ambush.
A signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer,CP Frank Mba indicates that the officers successfully repelled the attack and neutralised the bandits in their tens while many others scampered into the bush with gun shot injuries.
According to Mba, the officers attached to the Police Mobile Force 9- PMF squadron were attacked by Bandits on Friday 15th January 2021 on their way back to Kano on completion of a special duty.
He stated that the officers who are personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder and deployed to Niger State in the sustained operation to reclaim public space and tackle incidents of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.
” Regrettably, 4 of the officers paid the supreme price during the exchange of gun fire between the police and the bandits, while an officer is still missing”.
Mba added that the remaining 11 officers led by their unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues while converted efforts are being intensified to rescue the officer still missing.
He said the IGP while commiserating with the families who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation,assured that their death shall not be in vain.
The Police boss said the Force will not relent in its commitment to delivery on its mandate and ensuring that all activities of bandits and other unscrupulous elements in the country are brought to check.
