Four mobile policemen of Police Mobile Force 9 Squadron, Kano, have lost their lives as bandits ambushed their convoy along Birnin-Gwari-Funtua Road, Kaduna State on Friday.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, the force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the police repelled the attack, killing bandits in their tens.
He said the officers were their way back to their base in Kano after completing a special duty.
According to him, the officers are personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder and deployed to Niger State in the sustained operation to reclaim public space.
He said the team was deployed to tackle incidences of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.
“Contrary to unconfirmed reports in some sections of the media that 18 officers were kidnapped, only 16 were attacked in the ambush.
“The officers successfully repelled the attack accordingly and neutralised the bandits in their tens while many others scampered into the bush with gunshot injuries.
“Regrettably, four of the Officers paid the supreme price during the exchange of gunfire between the police and the bandits while an officer is still missing,” he said.
Mr Mba said the remaining 11 officers led by their Unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues, adding that concerted efforts were being intensified to rescue the officer still missing.
Mr Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has commended personnel for gallantry in repelling the attack.
He said the IGP had commiserated with the families of the officers who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, pledging to ensure that their deaths were not in vain.
He pledged the commitment of the police to check all activities of bandits and other unscrupulous elements in the area and other parts of the country.
