Tragedy struck Magaji community in the Majen-Gobir ward of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday as the Divisional Police Officer in the area, CSP Muhammad Sani Sagir, was killed in an ambush by suspected bandits.
Details of the attack were made known by security analyst Bakatsine, who said the incident occurred after the DPO and his team responded to a distress call over cattle rustling at about 10am.
The operatives were said to have trailed the rustlers into a nearby forest in a bid to retrieve the stolen livestock when they were confronted with heavy gunfire from the assailants.
During the exchange, Sagir reportedly sustained severe gunshot injuries and later died.
Three other police officers and a woman were also injured in the attack.
Sources disclosed that the gunmen fled the scene with additional cattle, although one of the bandits was reportedly neutralised during the shootout and some of the rustled animals were recovered.
The injured victims have since been taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, while residents of the community remain shaken by the deadly assault.