Admin l Sunday, January 17, 2021
LAGOS – The Nigeria Police Force(NPF) has said that it lost four men in a gun battle with bandits along the Birnin Gwari-Funtua Highway on Friday, 15th ,January 2021.The Police said they were ambushed by bandits numbering about 100.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the NPF said the four men were from the Police Mobile Force – 9 PMF Squadron, Kano among personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder, deployed to Niger State in the sustained operation to reclaim the public space and tackle incidents of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.
According to the police, contrary to unconfirmed reports in some sections of the media stating that eighteen (18) officers were kidnapped, the police said 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 gun fire between the Police and the bandits while an officer is still missing”, the police said and that 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 statement added that the IGP, while commiserating with the families of the officers who have yet again paid the supreme price in the service of the 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 elements in the area and other parts of the country are brought to check.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu commended the Police officers attached to Police Mobile Force – 9 PMF Squadron, Kano for displaying uncommon gallantry and repelling the attack on their convoy by bandits numbering about hundred.
