Bandits Kill DPO, 4 Other Officers In Niger

Bandits have gunned down a Divisional Police Officer, Muktar Sabiu, and four other officers on Saturday in Niger State.

Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson of the the Niger State Police Command, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the bandits had attempted to attack Chibani Market in Munyan Local Government Area and were killed by local vigilantes.

He said another set of bandits had tried to attack communities around Lambata when they were engaged in a gun battle with security officials.

The statement said, “Similarly, on Saturday, at about 11am, information was received that bandits were sighted around Kwakuti-Dajigbe area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around the Gurara LGA.”

Mr Abiodun said the DPO of Paiko police station, Muktar Sabiu and four other officers died in the gun battle with the bandits.

“Combined teams of police from Gawu-Babangida Div and Paiko Div, military, and vigilante members were drafted to the scene, the bandits were engaged in a gun duel and repelled with scores of them being neutralised, while others escaped with bullet injuries.

“Regrettably, the DPO, Paiko, SP Mukhtar Sabiu, and four other policemen from both divisions lost their lives during the gun duel,” the statement read.