The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three of its men and two local vigilantes in an ambush by terrorists in Kwanan Dutse, Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Bala Kuryas, who confirmed the killings in Minna on Tuesday, said the incident occurred on Monday at about 4 p.m when the Joint Security Task Force, comprising the Police and the local vigilantes were on routine patrol of the area.
Kuryas said that scores of the terrorists were equally “neutralised” during the gun battle that lasted for hours.
“The exchange of gun fire between the gunmen and the Joint Security TaskForce led to the killing of three policemen and two local vigilantes while others sustained various degree of injury,” he said.
He noted that the Joint Security Task Force had earlier on Sunday morning foiled an attack by another group of terrorists after about two hours of gun battle at Bari village, along Tegina-Kontagora road.
According to him, the detachment of Police tactical squad and the military have been deployed to the area and have lunch manhunt with a view to tracking down the criminals.
“We appeal to residents to assist security personnel deployed with reliable information that could aid in apprehending miscreants.
“We are all out to deal with any person or group of people undermining the peaceful atmosphere our area,” the Commissioner said.
