Katsina State on Tuesday and Wednesday came under brutal security breach as terrorists ran amock.
A statement by the state police Command and signed by SP Gambo Isah, the PRO, announced that the Area Commander of Dutsin-ma, ACP Aminu Umar and another officer who fought to repel them were unfortunately killed.
The statement read: “Today 06/07/2022 at about 1130hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists numbering over three hundred (300), on motorcycles, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), ambushed ACP Aminu Umar, Area Commander, Dutsinma and team, while on clearance operation of recalcitrant bandits/terrorists, in Zakka forest, Safana LGA of Katsina State. Consequently, the Area Commander and one other gallantly lost their lives during a cross exchange of gun fire.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Idrisu Dabban Dauda, on behalf of the officers and men of the Command expresses his deep sympathy to the family of the deceased and pray to almighty Allah to repose their souls in Jannatul Firdausi. He reaffirms the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment on the ongoing onslaught against terrorism in the state until it is completely routed (sic) out, please.”
Yet, on another development, in the same Katsina, the security convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari also came under ambush attack by terrorists on Tuesday.
The presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu issued a statement also to clarify on this and said: “The Presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.
The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.
Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura.”
Because of the two security breach incidents in the same town, it’s highly probable that the same attackers who ambushed the president’s team later unleashed the second assault that killed the Area Commander.
The incident was yet another painful reminder of the hazards the country’s security operatives go through at the peril of their lives to keep the rest of the country safe, and also the more compelling need to take more drastic measures to safeguard them while finding ways to keep the country safer.
