Bandits Kill DPO As Police Neutralise 3 In Katsina

Police in Katsina State have confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rimi, CSP Muhammad Sani Kabir, during a gun battle with  bandits following a cattle rustling attack in Rimi local government area.

In a statement issued by the spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the command disclosed that the incident began in early yesterday at about 2:00 a.m., when heavily armed bandits attacked Magaje village, firing sporadically and rustling an unspecified number of livestock before fleeing the scene.

Upon receiving the distress report, the late DPO, in collaboration with neighbouring police divisions and the military, swiftly mobilised a joint security response team to pursue the attackers.

Police said the operatives successfully tracked and intercepted the suspects at Magaje village, where a fierce gun duel ensued. During the exchange, security forces recovered all the rustled animals and neutralised three suspected armed bandits.

“Regrettably, the DPO was fatally shot by the bandits,” the statement read. One police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and was rushed to a nearby medical facility, where he is reportedly responding to treatment.

The commissioner of police, Katsina State Command, Bello Shehu, commended the bravery and teamwork displayed by the joint security operatives while condemning the killing of the officer.

He described the late CSP Kabir as “an upright, honest, and professional police officer,” and extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.