Five soldiers and a police officer were reportedly killed on Monday after suspected bandits ambushed security personnel near Kekun village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred as the officers were travelling to Gusau after a field operation. According to the source, armed bandits lying in wait along the road opened fire on the convoy as it passed through the area.
“The bandits, who were hiding along the road, immediately opened fire when a team of security personnel were passing,” the source said. “Five soldiers and a police officer were killed instantly, while others sustained serious injuries.”
The injured officers were said to have been rushed to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were also taken to the hospital’s morgue.
“As I am talking to you now, the wounded officers are receiving treatment, and the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue,” the source added.
Attempts by our correspondent to visit the hospital to see the injured officers or confirm the fatalities were unsuccessful, as hospital staff reportedly denied access to both the wards and the morgue.
When contacted for an official reaction, the spokesperson of the North-West Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma, Captain David Adewusi, said he had not yet received a formal briefing on the incident.
