Suspected bandits have ambushed a police patrol team near the Nasarawa-Benue border, killing a civilian and injuring a police officer in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The attack occurred around 10:55 pm on Tuesday near Kadarako community. According to reports, the assailants opened fire on the police team in a surprise attack. The officers, however, responded swiftly, engaging the gunmen in a fierce exchange that forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding forest.
Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
“The officers came under a sudden ambush by unidentified gunmen suspected to have emerged from the Benue forest axis. Despite the surprise attack, our men displayed tactical superiority and repelled the ambush,” Nansel said.
He added that one officer, Inspector Sunday Apochie, sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight but was quickly rescued by a reinforcement team from the Kadarko Division. His AK-47 rifle was also recovered from the scene.
Tragically, a civilian who lived near the area was struck by a stray bullet from the attackers and died at the scene.
The injured officer was first taken to the Primary Health Care Centre in Kadarko before being transferred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where he is receiving treatment and responding well.
SP Nansel said an intensive investigation and manhunt has been launched to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has expressed condolences to the family of the deceased civilian. He also visited the injured officer in the hospital and assured the public that efforts are underway to bring the attackers to justice and prevent future incidents.
