LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Zamfara Police command has confirmed the killing of Kazeem Raheem, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in an attack on the Maru Police Station,Maru LGA of Zamfara.
Rabi’u Umar, a Police Inspector attached to the division, and a vigilante, Shehu Chika were allegedly killed in the attack.
A native of the town, Shehu Amadu revealed that the bandits who attacked the community, shot the victims dead because of their attempt to stop the operation.
He said: “The bandits who were in large numbers stormed our town in the night on Saturday in order to abduct the people. Many of us took to our heels and ran into the bush to escape abduction.
“On receiving information of the attack, the Divisional Police Officer, Kazeem Kareem, mobilised his men and some vigilantes in order to chase away the bandits.
“Unfortunately, the DPO, one police sergeant, Rabiu Bagobiri and one vigilante member, Shehu Chika, were killed.”
Amadu also claimed that the bandits successfully kidnapped some residents and carted away with some food items.
The two Police officers’ deaths during the attack were verified in a statement by the state police public relations officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, who also said that the command was on the trail of the suspects.
The statement read: “On 5th March, 2023 at about 0200hrs, bandits in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Maru Divisional Police Headquarters in Maru LGA with intent to distabilise the security architecture of the town in order to easily attack and abduct members of the community.
“However, the DPO and team gallantly put up a strong resistance to repel the attackers. Unfortunately, he (DPO) and one Inspector Rabiu Umar lost their lives while protecting the public.
“The state Commissioner of Police has deployed reinforcement to pursue the fleeing hoodlums and arrest them for investigation and prosecution.”
The statement reveals that the commissioner has sent reinforcement after the bandits in an effort to capture and penalize them.