Six policemen were killed by gunmen weekend in separate incidents in Zamfara and Borno states while three other civilians were killed in Tukuntawa area of Kano Municipality.
Four policemen who were members of the Joint Task Force, JTF in Zamfara State were reportedly killed yesterday by gunmen in Dansadau district in Maru Local Government Area of the state while two policemen were killed in Mafa town, headquarters of Mafa Local Government Council of Borno State.
Vanguard gathered that the four policemen killed in Zamfara comprised of inspectors and corporals. They were reportedly killed in a gun battle which lasted about two hours.
Two of the suspected gunmen were also reportedly killed during the exchange of fire.
A source told News re that five other policemen were still missing and frantic efforts were being made to locate them.
Fears that the policemen may have been captured by the gunmen became rife following reports that calls made to cell phones belonging to one of the policemen was reportedly answered by one of the gunmen and was later switched off.
The JTF patrol team was set up to track down notorious armed robbers along Dansadau axis of the state, who terrorise traders on their way to rural markets. The police lost four of its men recently to another suspected armed robbers who provided escort for businessmen going to Kano to transact business.
The state Police spokesperson, Sanusi Amiru, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP declined details, saying he was in a crucial meeting and could not comment.
Two killed in Borno
In Borno State, the two policemen were killed when 20 men armed with sophisticated weapons stormed Mafa town Saturday night, firing several shots in the air, before they laid siege to the police station.
The gunmen were said to have driven into the area in three Volkswagen cars in the operation which lasted for an hour. The attackers were also said to have carried out the assault without any resistance as they overpowered all the policemen on duty and after killing two officers, other policemen took to their heels.
Spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Samuel Tizhe, while confirming the incident to newsmen yesterday said “yes it is true that at about 9.00pm on Saturday some unknown gunmen attacked the Mafa police station and killed two of our men”.
According to Mr Tizhe, the gunmen also attempted to take away arms and ammunition without success as they were chased away by the officers on duty who had engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
The spokesman explained that during the confrontation, the security operatives chased away the hoodlums and escaped with gunshot injuries.
He, however, explained that police had later trailed the suspects to a nearby village and that 13 of them were apprehended.
In Kano, gunmen stormed a relaxation spot in Tukuntawa area of Kano and killed three people.
A witness told Vanguard that the gunmen had arrived on a motorbike and opened fire on people playing cards at the spot, adding that “the spot is a hub for meetings among friends on weekends.”
The eyewitness told Vanguard that the sporadic shooting that lasted five minutes left several people wounded while residents were forced to quickly lock up their shops and houses.
Members of the JTF however arrived later to bring sanity to the area as they cordoned off the entire Tukuntawa neighbourhood.
JTF spokesperson in Kano, Lt Ikediche Iweha while confirming the incident, failed to give the casualty figure. He said: “Our men are still on ground and you guys have to wait till the operation is over to enable us say what happened”.
On his part, the police image maker, ASP Magaji Musa Majia also said “ we don’t have details at the moment because counter terrorism personnel are on ground.”
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