Bandits have killed four policemen in Kano State in an ambush along Birnin-Gwari Funtua highway.

The slain policemen attached to Police Mobile Force 9 Squadron Kano were among those trying to repel the criminal numbering about 100 in the attack.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, CP Frank Mba, one officer is missing from the personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder.

They had just completed their operation against bandits and other criminals in Niger State and were returning to their base in Kano when they were ambushed.

The statement explained that the remaining 11 men led by their Unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues, noting that efforts were being intensified to rescue the missing officer.

The statement was titled, ‘PMF personnel successfully repel ambush attack on their convoy in Birnin-Gwari’.

It read, “Contrary to unconfirmed reports in some sections of the media stating that 18 officers were kidnapped, 16 officers were attacked in the ambush.

“The officers successfully repelled the attack accordingly and neutralised the bandits while many of the bandits scampered into the bush with gunshot injuries.

“Regrettably, four officers paid the supreme price during the exchange of gun fire between the police and the bandits while an officer is still missing.”

The Force added that four riot policemen were killed by the bandits on Friday.

The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union had on Sunday claimed that five policemen were killed by bandits at Farinruwa area of Birnin-Gwari LG on Friday.

In another development, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole destroyed additional six gun trucks and eliminated scores of terrorists attempting to reinforce their colleagues in the attack on Marte in Borno State.

This is coming few hours after the Nigeria Air Force destroyed seven gun trucks belonging to the criminals.

The Defence Headquarters Spokesman, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, disclosed in a statement that several Boko Haram terrorists were killed during the mop-up attack on their convoy on Friday.

“The helicopters delivered accurate hits in their multiple waves of attack, obliterating no fewer than six additional gun trucks, which were seen engulfed in flames across the battle space.

“Several other terrorists were mopped-up in follow-on attacks as the helicopter gunships continued to strafe the fleeing ISWAP elements,” the DHQ stated.