Five Police Officers Killed as Suspected Herders Ambush Patrol Team in Bauchi

Five police officers have been confirmed dead following an ambush by suspected herders on Saturday night in Papa Ward, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakili, disclosed the tragic incident in a telephone interview with Channels Television on Sunday. He added that two officers sustained injuries during the attack.

“It’s confirmed that our officers and men on routine patrol in Papa Ward of Darazo Local Government Area were ambushed by some herders,” Wakili said.
“There were casualties during a dual exchange of gunfire between our personnel and the herders. Some of our officers have paid the supreme price.”
He also noted that the attackers suffered casualties as well.

The fallen officers were identified as:

• Ahmad Muhammad
• Mustapha Muhammad
• Inspector Amarhel Yunusa
• Inspector Idris Ahmed
• Corporal Isah Muazu

The injured officers — Inspector Isah Musa and Inspector Yusuf Gambo — are attached to the State Investigation Department.

Wakili stated that the Commissioner of Police had visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, and that more details would be provided as investigations progress.

Another Fatal Attack in Toro LG

In a separate incident, suspected bandits launched an attack around midnight on Saturday in Saya village of Zalau Ward, Toro Local Government Area. The assault led to the killing of 55-year-old Alhaji Muhammadu Bakoshi, a member of Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), and the abduction of three others.

A relative of the victim, Arfashada Ahmed, told Channels Television that the attackers arrived on foot and headed straight to Bakoshi’s home.
“They went directly to the rooms where his wives were. They met him in one of the rooms and shot him twice in the head and chest,” he narrated.

The bandits later kidnapped the victim’s 45-year-old wife, Hannatu Bakoshi, and his 13-year-old daughter, Umaimah. They also invaded another village in Zalau Ward, abducting 20-year-old Mubarak Dayyabu.

The Commissioner of Police has directed the DPO and Area Commander of Toro, as well as divisional officers, vigilante groups, hunters, and other security outfits, to comb the surrounding forest in a coordinated operation aimed at apprehending the suspects and rescuing the abducted victims.