Two police operatives died at the weekend, paying a supreme price for defending innocent residents, in a gun duel with bandits in Zamfara State, while unspecified number of the suspects were killed as they launched an attack on residents of Magami Community in Gusau Local Government Area.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the command received a report at night that the bandits in their number stormed Magami, with an intent to attack the community.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SO Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the story on Sunday, May 23, told Thenewsbearer that the information made the Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabiu, to direct tactical units comprising of PMF/CTU/Special Forces and Operation Puff Adder based in the area to synergise and ensure protection of lives and property of the people.
Shehu said that the tactical units moved and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, leading to the death of unspecified number of them as the attack was successfully repelled.
Many of the bandits were also said to have been injured as they escaped with gunshot wounds, while there was no casualty from the side of the community.
The PPRO added that the Commissioner of Police further deployed additional tactical operatives to the area to complement the ongoing bush combing operations, aimed at forestalling further attacks on the nearby villages.
“The Commissioner of Police has reiterated his warning to all the recalcitrant armed bandits to either surrender their arms and embrace peace or face the unpredictable consequences.
The police spokesman stated further that while commending the officers and men for their resilience, “the CP also called on the police operatives in the command to defend themselves and the community aggressively in any engagement with bandits, and ensure that they dominate the ungoverned spaces on a continuous basis.”