The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has confirmed the incident that leads to the death of four police officers in Kaduna State on Friday. Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in a statement on Sunday disclosed that the personnel were attached to Police Mobile Force – 9 Squadron, Kano. Four policemen met their untimely deaths when they engaged bandits numbering about a hundred in a gun battle along Birnin-Gwari-Funtua Highway on Friday on January 15, when the bandits attacked their convoy while they were on their way back from completion of their special duty. An officer is still missing after the incident. The statement revealed that the officers were 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.
“Contrary to unconfirmed reports in some sections of the media stating that eighteen (18) officers were kidnapped, only sixteen (16) officers were attacked in the ambush. The officers successfully repelled the attack accordingly and neutralized the bandits in their tens while many of the bandits scampered into the bush with gunshot injuries.
“Regrettably, four (4) of the officers paid the supreme price during the exchange of gunfire between the Police and the bandits while an officer is still missing. However, the remaining eleven (11) officers led by their Unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues while concerted efforts are being intensified to rescue the officer still missing. ”
“The IGP, while commiserating with the families of the officers who have yet again paid the supreme price in the service of our nation, assures that their death shall not be in vain.”
“The IGP assures the citizens that the Force is not deterred and will not relent in its commitment to delivering on its mandate and ensuring that all activities of bandits and other unscrupulous.