Herders ambush police patrol in Bauchi, kill five officers

Herders ambush police patrol in Bauchi, kill five officers

 

Five police officers were killed on Saturday night when suspected herders ambushed a routine patrol team in Papa Ward, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Sunday, adding that two other officers sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

“It’s confirmed that our officers and men on patrol in Papa Ward were ambushed by some herders,” Wakili said. “There was a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, some of our personnel paid the supreme price. The attackers also suffered casualties.”

The slain officers were identified as Ahmad Muhammad, Mustapha Muhammad, Inspector Amarhel Yunusa, Inspector Idris Ahmed, and Corporal Isah Muazu.

The injured officers — Inspector Isah Musa and Inspector Yusuf Gambo — are receiving treatment.

Wakili disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had arrived at the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and that more details would be provided after preliminary investigations and a full casualty review.

In a separate midnight attack that occurred the same day, suspected bandits struck Saya village in Zalau Ward of Toro Local Government Area, killing a 55-year-old Islamic cleric, Alhaji Muhammadu Bakoshi, and kidnapping three members of his family.

A relative of the victim, Arfashada Ahmed, told Channels Television that the bandits arrived on foot and went straight to Bakoshi’s residence.

“They went directly to where his wives were. They found him in one of the rooms and shot him twice — in the head and the chest,” he said.

The attackers abducted his wife, 45-year-old Hannatu Bakoshi, and their 13-year-old daughter, Umaimah. The Command also confirmed the abduction of 20-year-old Mubarak Dayyabu in another village within the same Zalau Ward.

Wakili stated that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the DPO and Area Commander of Toro, along with vigilantes, hunters, and other security outfits, to comb the surrounding forests to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.