The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed it thwarted a late-night ambush on its personnel by gunmen along the Kadarko–Makurdi Road, a border community in Keana Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the attack occurred around 10:55 p.m. on Tuesday, when armed men suspected to have emerged from the Benue forest opened fire on officers stationed in the area.
“Our officers came under heavy fire from the assailants who ambushed them,” Nansel said. “However, they displayed courage and tactical superiority, engaging the gunmen in a gunfight that forced them to retreat into the Benue forest with suspected gunshot wounds.”
Despite repelling the attackers, one officer, Inspector Sunday Apochie, sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange.
A reinforcement team from the Kadarko Division was immediately dispatched, successfully evacuating the injured officer and recovering his AK-47 rifle from the scene.
Sadly, a civilian living nearby was struck by a stray bullet fired by the attackers and lost his life.
Inspector Apochie was initially treated at a local health centre in Kadarko before being referred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia. He is said to be responding positively to treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, has ordered a thorough investigation and launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
He also visited the injured officer at the hospital and extended condolences to the family of the deceased civilian.
“The Commissioner has assured the public that the Command is taking all necessary steps to apprehend those responsible and prevent future occurrences,” Nansel added.