TheCable

Gunmen have killed three police officers and five vigilantes at the Jidda-Bassa community of Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi.

According to reports, they were attacked after responding to a distress call from residents of the Jidda-Bassa community on Saturday.

The residents were said to have been attacked by gunmen on their farms and carted away produce.

Before the security operatives could arrive at the location, they were ambushed by the gunmen.

The bodies of the security operatives have been deposited at the mortuary.

Jerry Omodara, the security adviser to Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, confirmed the incident via a telephone interview.

Omodara added that the state government would ensure that the security operatives track the assailant.

Over the past few weeks, the northern part of the country has witnessed high violent attacks perpetrated by bandits and insurgents.

Kogi has witnessed a share of these attacks. In April, three police officers were killed during an attack on a police station in Adavi LGA of the state.

In June, a police inspector was killed during an attack on a police station in the Eika-Ohizenyi area of Okehi LGA.