Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have killed the Divisional Police Officer in Maru town, Maru Local Government area of Zamfara State, SP Kazeem Raheem.
According to reports, the bandits also killed a police sergeant and a vigilante during the attack that took place in the early hours of Saturday, March 4.
Disclosing this, a source that preferred to remain anonymous said the bandits were in the area purposely to kidnap a businessman, identified as Alhaji Ilisayu.
The bandits had, according to the source, kidnapped Ilisayu’s brother, who was reportedly freed after a ransom was paid, but they (bandits) came back to kidnap him but he managed to escape, while his wife was abducted.
He explained, “The DPO foiled the attempt by mobilising his officers against the criminals but lost his life in the gunfight.”
READ ALSO: Area Boys Set To Take Over Abuja – Dino Melaye Cries Out
Likewise, in a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, said the Commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf, prayed to the Almighty Allah to repose the departed souls and give their families and relations the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The statement said, “On March 5, 2023, around 2am, gunmen in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Maru Division with intent to destabilise the security architecture of the town in order to easily attack and abduct members of the community.
“However, the late DPO and team gallantly put up a strong resistance to repel the attackers.
“Unfortunately, himself and Inspector Rabiu lost their lives while protecting the public.
“The Commissioner of Police has deployed reinforcement to pursue the fleeing hoodlums and arrest them for investigation and prosecution.”