Fifteen policemen and 10 bandits were killed in different gun duels between the Police and armed gangs at different locations in Zamfara and Niger States.
Both casualties were recorded on Sunday.
Thirteen of the 15 Policemen were killed during a bandits’ attack on a Police formation in Zamfara State, while three civilians were shot dead by the same gang.
Also in Niger State, two Policemen were killed while repelling an attack on a community in Niger State. The Police however, killed 10 of the bandit attackers.
The attack in Zamfara State occurred Sunday afternoon at Kurar Mota community, Bungudu Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
A statement by Spokesperson to Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, Yusuf Idris Gusau, who confirmed the killings, said the Governor had visited seven other Policemen wounded during the encounter.
Residents said that the bandits had earlier attempted to invade Magami, a community located 50 kilometres South of Gusau, the State capital, but were repelled by soldiers stationed in the settlement.
Magami and its neighbouring villages had had repeated attacks from different bandit groups.
“They withdrew after they were overpowered by the soldiers there. They then rode to a community along Magami-Dankurmi-Dangulbi road killed one person and torched four shops.
“Thereafter, they swiftly move to Kurar Mota community and attacked the Police formation near the township clinic. The armed criminals then dashed into the forest.
“The slain officers and the injured ones were conveyed to Gusau on a convoy of police vehicles this afternoon. I saw several police vehicles moving towards the area,” said a resident identified as Kabir Dansada.
And in Niger State, at least 10 bandits were killed as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force repelled an attack on Kundu, a community in the Rafi LGA of the State on Sunday.
Already, the State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, visited the community on Sunday to sympathise with the Police officers and appreciate them for their sacrifice.
Bello reiterated the commitment of the State government to helping the force in securing the state.
“I would like to congratulate you for the fine job you are doing and I’m assuring you that whatever you need to discharge your duties more effectively, we will provide it.
“Please, I want you to be frank with you and I will do everything within my power to ensure that you people get what you need,” he said.
He also disclosed that the State government had made arrangements for some equipment in combating insecurity, adding that the equipment would arrive soon and be handed to the Police in the State.
The Governor also visited a military checkpoint at Zungeru cemetery. The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ademola Adedoja and the State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Usman.
