TheCable

Thirteen officers of the mobile police unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have been killed during an attack by gunmen in Kurar Mota village of Bungudu LGA of Zamfara state.

Mohammed Shehu, Zamfara police spokesman, confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday.

The police officers were said to have been ambushed by gunmen, when they were responding to a distress call on an attack in the area.

The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the policemen, killing the 13 officers while injuring others.

“The attack occurred on Sunday at about 1230hrs, when Police Mobile operatives deployed at Kurar Mota Village were responding to a distress call with regards to an attempt by the bandits to attack some nearby communities,” Shehu said in a statement.

“The police personnel, who ran into the ambush, exhibited resilience and gallantry by engaging the hoodlums, an effort that deterred the bandits from attacking the communities.

“Unfortunately, 13 personnel paid the supreme price. However, the bandits on their part suffered heavy casualties.

“The Zamfara State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment and determination to sustain its ongoing operation against the activities of recalcitrant bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

“A Special Anti-Banditry Operation is currently ongoing with a view to tracking down the assailants.”

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, who condemned the attack, visited the injured officers at the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, the Zamfara capital, on Sunday.

Yusuf Idris, media aide to the governor, said Matawalle also condoled with the NPF over the death of the officers.

“While lamenting the attack, Matawalle promised to partner with other security agencies in the state to track down the attackers and all their sponsors and collaborators with a view to bringing them to justice,” Idris said in a statement on Sunday.