Bandits ambush, kill five policemen, three guards in Zamfara

Bandits have killed five policemen and three Community Protection Guards while on patrol along Gusau-Funtuwa road in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

An indigene of the area, Yau Musa, said that the victims were on patrol along the road on Thursday evening when they were ambushed by bandits.

Musa said, “The victims were approaching Gidan-Giye village, a few kilometres away from Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government, when suddenly, the bandits came out of their hiding place, and opened fire on their vehicle.”

According to Musa, all the securitymen who were in the vehicle were killed instantly.

He stressed that the bandits might have received information from their informants on the movement of the affected securitymen who were said to have come from Government House, Gusau, on a special duty.

He said, “The affected securitymen were working at the Government House, Gusau and were sent to give protection to travellers along the Gusau-Funtuwa road due to persistent attacks by bandits on a daily basis.

“Unfortunately, a few minutes after they left Tsafe town, we heard gunshots very close to Gidan-Giye village as the bandits who were hiding beside the road opened fire, killing all of them instantly.

“Within a twinkle of an eye, the bandits rode their motorcycles and ran into the forest, leaving the eight securitymen dead.”

Musa further explained that the deceased were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

Governor Dauda Lawal has since condoled the families of the affected securitymen.

On his Facebook page, Lawal expressed disgust over the incident and condoled the families of the affected officers.

He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased’s offences and give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He said, “To Allah we belong and to him we shall return”.

“I just received sad news of the death of eight securitymen, comprising policemen and the Community Protection Guards, who were ambushed and killed by bandits along Gusau-Funtuwa road.

“May Allah forgive them and give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“We pray to Allah to bring an end to the insecurity problem affecting Zamfara state, the north and the entire nation.”