A Divisional Police Officer DPO, A. Rano, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits on Wednesday morning, February 9, 2022, in Jibia local government area of Katsina State during an attack on Magama section of Jibia town.
It was reported that the bandits arrived at the area around 3 a.m. and laid siege to it for three hours, despite resistance by security agents and vigilante members.
An APC chieftain in the area, Mustapha Danye, told Premium Times that the bandits were in the village to kidnap the family of a businessman in Magama Jibia.
“The bandits stormed Magama Jibia in the night (morning of Wednesday) around 3 a.m. and went straight to the residence of Alhaji Lauwali Magama to kidnap his family.
“They abducted the wife of the businessman and their daughter but their neighbours alerted the police who mobilised vigilante members and soldiers to the area.
“The bandits came in a large group and positioned themselves in strategic areas of Magama, which helped them to ambush the DPO,” he said.
A source in the Jibia police division said the vehicle in which Rano was being taken to the community was ambushed.
“He was in a car with two soldiers and some policemen going to bring reinforcement for some of our men because the bandits were shooting from all corners. The vehicle was sprayed with bullets and the DPO died instantly,” he said.
He added that two police officers and a civilian were killed while two soldiers were severely wounded.
Gambo Isa, the state police command spokesperson in Katsina, confirmed the killing of the police officer.
