Four policemen have been allegedly killed, and a cache of ammunition stolen when suspected terrorists believed to be fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a police station in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, gathered from sources that the terrorists disguised themselves and sneaked into the town at about 11 a.m. on Friday.
The suspected ISWAP terrorists were said to have gone straight to the police quarters in Gajiram town and opened fire killing four policemen.
The sources also said mobile policemen at the police quarters engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle which prevented the assailant from burning down the quarters.
The publication said troops from Operation Hadin Kai of Gajiram, a military intervention in the northeast, responded to the scene.
“Some of the police officers were also lucky to have survived the onslaught of the terror attack, but the unfortunate four officers paid the supreme price while on active duty,” the PUNCH source disclosed.
He added, “There was confusion in our town last night. The ISWAP fighters attacked the police station in Gajiram. They outnumbered and overpowered the policemen on duty.
“We found four dead bodies of the policemen who lost their lives early this morning. Some policemen are yet to return as we speak.”
Borno State has repeatedly come under several severe attacks from insurgents and terrorists despite the efforts of the military and other joint security operatives to contain the heinous activities of the various terror groups in the state.
A local vigilante group source who confirmed the attack to our correspondent revealed that the invaders had left the scene before the military reinforcements arrived.
“Yes, when we got the report and contacted the military who responded swiftly, because their troop mobilised and moved to the scene, but unfortunately, the invaders had escaped,” he said.
While confirming the attack and the killing of four of his colleagues, the Borno State Police Command spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth said, “We received reports that insurgents attacked the Gajiram Police Station around 1 am today, Saturday, February 3.
“Four policemen indeed paid the supreme price in an exchange of fire with the terrorists when security agents quickly mobilised to repel the attack.
“Normalcy has since been restored in the town,” he said.
Michael Olugbode
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