During an attack on the Magama section of Jibia town, Jibia local government area of Katsina State, a divisional police officer (DPO), A. Rano, was reportedly killed by armed bandits, who stormed the area in the early hours of Wednesday.
PREMIUM TIMES revealed in a news report that multiple sources told its correspondent over the phone that the bandits arrived around 3 a.m. and laid siege on the town for three hours.
However, despite the resistance put up by security agents and vigilante members, a police DPO and 3 others lost their lives.
Mustapha Danye, an APC chieftain in the area, also revealed to Premium Times that the armed bandits stormed the town purposely to kidnap the family of a business mogul who also resides in Magama Jibia.
Jibia’s main business district is Magama. The village is within a few kilometers from the Niger Republic’s border.
READ ALSO: Many Children Killed As Over 200 Terrorist Bandits Raid Niger Villages.
“The bandits raided Magama Jibia around 3 a.m. last night (Wednesday morning) and went straight to Alhaji Lauwali Magama’s house to kidnap his family. They kidnapped the businessman’s wife and their daughter, but their neighbors contacted the authorities, who dispatched vigilantes and military to the vicinity.
“The armed bandits arrived in huge numbers and set up camp in strategic areas of Magama, where they were able to ambush the DPO,” he explained.
The vehicle in which Mr Rano was being driven to the community was ambushed, according to a source in the Jibia police division.
“He was in a car with two soldiers and a few other police officers on their way to provide reinforcements for some of our men since the bandits were shooting from every direction.” “The DPO died quickly as the vehicle conveying him and others was sprayed with bullets,” he claimed.
Two police officers and a civilian were also killed, while two soldiers were severely injured, according to him.
The killing of the police officer was confirmed by Gambo Isa, the state police command spokeswoman in Katsina, but he urged reporters to wait for his statement on the matter.
Since the beginning of the year, Katsina State has been plagued by armed bandit attacks.
Some days ago, a village leader and four others were killed by armed bandits in Yan gayya village, while at least another 12 people were killed in Ilela village.
On Tuesday, ten people were also reportedly killed in Guga village, Bakori local government district, and a village chief was kidnapped.
