Insecurity: DPO, Others Gunned Down By Bandits In Zamfara

A Divisional Police Officer, a police sergeant and a vigilante member have been gunned down by bandits in Maru town, the headquarters of Maru local government area, Zamfara State.

The incident was confirmed by a resident of the community who pleaded anonymity, revealing that assailants invaded the town with the intention of abducting a businessman named Alhaji Iliyasu.

According to reports, the gunmen kidnapped Iliyasu's brother earlier and released him after a ransom was paid.

The victim escaped a second attempt to abduct him and the assailants took his wife.

Policemen were mobilised by the DPO to foil the attempt to kidnap the businessman but the latter lost his life in the ensuing gunfight.

“It was a terrible experience. I woke up at the sound of heavy gunfire around 2 am.

“Maru town has been under constant attack by these criminals, several people were kidnapped in the past year", the source shared.

As of the time of filing this report, the Spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Muhammad Shehu, could not be reached for comment as his phone lines were off.