Two police officers have been killed during a security operation that led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Police Command said the victims were rescued after security operatives responded to intelligence reports that armed bandits had abducted several farmers in Unguwan Sa’idu village on June 24.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, police personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Kaduna Vigilance Service, were mobilised to the area, where they engaged the bandits in a gun battle.
The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to flee into nearby bushes, abandoning their captives.
The operatives subsequently rescued nine victims, who were found tied up and left behind by the attackers.
However, tragedy struck as the security team returned from the operation.
The officers were ambushed by suspected bandits who had laid in wait along the route,two policemen sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died in the line of duty.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commiserated with the families and colleagues of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
The police said investigation and tactical operations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
