Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked a police team near the Nasarawa-Benue boarder, injuring an operative in the incident.
The attackers also killed a civilian who resides close to the scene of the incident following a sporadic shoot out.
Our correspondent gathered that the police operatives were ambushed at about 10:55pm Tuesday night around Kadarako Community in Keana local government area of Nasarawa State.
However, the police operatives responded swiftly by engaging the attackers and repelling them.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Command, SP Ramhan Nansel said the personnel came under sudden attack by unidentified gunmen coming from Benue forest axis.
“The attackers opened sporadic gunfire on the officers in a cowardly ambush.
“Displaying gallantry and tactical superiority, the police operatives engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the criminals to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.
“Unfortunately, one police officer, Inspector Sunday Apochie, sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange.
“A reinforcement team from the Kadarko Division responded swiftly, rescued the injured officer, and recovered his service AK-47 rifle from the scene,” the PPRO said.
Tragically, the police spokesperson said a civilian residing near the scene of the incident was struck by a stray bullet from the bandits and lost his life.
According to him, the injured officer was immediately rushed to the Primary Health Care Centre in Kadarko for initial medical attention and was later referred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where he was receiving treatment and responding well.
SP Nansel disclosed that intensive investigation and manhunt have been launched to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased civilian.
Jauro also visited the injured officer at the hospital and provided him with succour.
“He assured the public that all necessary measures are being put in place to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and forestall future occurrence,” he stated.
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