Gunmen  kill Asst. Commissioner of Police, officer in Katsina

.Open fire on Buhari’s Advance Team, injure 2

.As Presidential Guards repel attack.

ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

Police Area Commander in Dutsinma, Katsina State Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aminu Umar, and a yet to be identified officer have been killed  by terrorists in Zakka forest, Safana Local Government Area of the state.

The officers reportedly lost their lives in an ambush laid by the terrorists numbering over 300.

Spokesman of the command, Isa Gambo, a Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, said the tragedy occurred at about 11am on Tuesday during a cross exchange of gun fire between the officers and the terrorists.

He said the ACP and his team were on clearance operation against the suspected bandits/terrorists in Zakka forest following a tip off.

According to him, the police received a distress call that gunmen on motorcycles shooting sporadically with AK47 rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) were in the area and responded swiftly but paid the supreme price while protecting the lives and property of citizens.

He expressed deep condolences of the state command boss, Idrisu Dabban Daudu, to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to the ongoing onslaught against terrorism in the state until it is completely routed out.

Similarly, the Presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Tuesday,

the attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.

“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura”, the statement added.