Eight safety personnel have been reportedly killed by bandits on Thursday close to the Tazame village of Tsafe Native Authorities Space of Zamfara State.
An indigene of the world, Mubarak Mohammed advised PUNCH On-line that the safety personnel, consisting of 5 policemen and three troopers, have been hooked up to a highway development firm, Satraco Nigeria Restricted, when the armed bandits abruptly got here out of their hiding place and opened fireplace.
Mohammed defined that the deceased police and army personnel have been at all times on the highway to protect the development employees who have been repairing the Gusau-Tsafe-Zaria highway.
He mentioned, “The bandits laid an ambush in a close-by farm near the primary highway and instantly the police and the army personnel arrived on the place, they (bandits) opened fireplace immediately, killing a few of them.
“There was a heavy struggle between the bandits and the safety personnel which additional led to the killing of different safety personnel.
“Among the bandits have been additionally killed through the encounter.”
Muhammad said that there was pandemonium on the highway as motorists ran helter-skelter, leaving their automobiles on the highway, and working to the bush for his or her lives.
In response to Mohammed, the development work has been happening since final 12 months however only some kilometres have been lined due to the fixed bandits assaults.
“This work has been happening for a number of months in the past, however only some kilometres have been lined as a result of the bandits are at all times right here to assault both the development employees or these travelling on the highway,” he added.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the assault on Thursday.
Confirming the incident in a phone interview with PUNCH On-line, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, mentioned efforts have been on to determine the causalities concerned.
Abubakar might nevertheless not affirm the variety of officers killed as he was but to get a discipline report from the workforce deployed to sequel the assault.
He mentioned, “There was an assault that occurred immediately and we’re on the difficulty now. Inshallah, after we conclude our report I’ll ship a launch; proper down we’re on the difficulty.”
On the variety of causalities, Abubakar mentioned, “As we converse, I haven’t obtained the precise quantity but however we’re on it. I’ll inform you intimately as quickly as our officers return.
“Since morning our officers have been within the bush for the rescue operation. I’m anticipating them to name me. I attempted calling however no community there. As soon as they’ve a community I’ll contact them as a result of I wish to get the precise factor that occurred.”