Tragedy as DPO, 4 others die in deadly attack

Suspected Islamic terrorists on Sunday allegedly killed a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mukhtar Sabiu, and four others, in Paiko, headquarters of Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

An indigene in the area, Musa Idris, who said he narrowly escaped been killed said the victims were shot dead along Kwakuti village, Minna-Suleja road on Saturday.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, added the DPO and his men were killed in a gun duel.

According to him, the division received information at about 1100hrs, that armed bandits were sighted around Kwakuti-Dajigbe villages area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around Gurara LGA.

The divisional police headquarters has mobilised a team of officers and men from Gawu-Babangida Division and Paiko Division; military and vigilante operatives were also drafted to the scene.

He explained the police engaged them in a gun duel and repelled the attack with scores of them being neutralized, while others escaped with bullet injuries.