Five police officers have been confirmed dead and two others injured after suspected bandits ambushed a security patrol team in Sabon Sara village, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
In a statement on Sunday, the Bauchi State Police Command said the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during an intelligence-led patrol aimed at preventing clashes between farmers and herders in the area.
The team, drawn from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), 10 PMF Bauchi, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), and the State Intelligence Department (SID), came under heavy fire from unidentified armed youths.
The officers who lost their lives were identified as DSP Ahmad Muhammad of the SID; ASP Mustapha Muhammad of 10 PMF; Inspectors Amarhel Yunusa and Idris Ahmed of 10 PMF; and Corporal Isah Muazu of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The injured officers—Inspectors Isah Musa and Yusuf Gambo of the SID—were evacuated to Darazo General Hospital for treatment.
ASP Ahmed Wakil, spokesperson for the command, said immediate reinforcements were deployed after the distress call.
“The DPO in Darazo led a response team to the scene and successfully evacuated both the injured and the deceased officers,” he said, adding that the remains of the slain personnel have been deposited in the morgue.
Wakil noted that several of the attackers were neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, and security operatives are pursuing those who fled.
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“The command is fully committed to ensuring that the criminals responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice,” he stated.
Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and offered condolences to the families of the fallen officers. “These brave men paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” he said.
“We will remain fierce, tireless, and relentless in protecting the people of Bauchi State.”
The command called on residents to remain calm and continue cooperating with security agencies as efforts to restore peace in the area continue.
