At least eight security personnel were killed on Tuesday by gunmen following an ambush on a police convoy in Zamfara state.
According to Reuters, officials of the vigilance group in Zamfara said the dead personnel include five police officers and three members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (CPG).
CPG is a state-backed security and vigilance outfit launched by Dauda Lawal, governor of the state, to combat banditry, kidnapping, and insecurity across the 14 LGAs.
Lawal Haruna, vigilance group commandant, said the outfit’s operation is backed by the state government.
Abubakar Isa, a member of the CPG, said the attackers struck near Gidan-Giye village in Tsafe LGA.
Isa further relayed that the assailants fired at a 15-seater bus conveying the security team, destroying the vehicle.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Tuesday, Ani Iniedu, force public relations officer, said the police deployed tactical search and rescue teams comprising the violent crime response and anti-kidnapping units in locating and recovering the bodies of the five deceased officers.
Iniedu said the incident occurred when personnel were en route to Zamfara state for the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary elections duty.
“The operation successfully rescued seven officers alive and unhurt, while two officers who sustained gunshot wounds were moved to hospital for medical treatment,” the statement reads.
“The hoodlums carted away five service AK-47 rifles; joint reinforcements are combing the area to recover the stolen firearms and apprehend the perpetrators.”
