By Zagazola Makama
GUSAU (CONVERSEER) – Armed bandits on Wednesday launched multiple attacks in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing three local security operatives and ambushing a team of Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers near Tsafe town.
Zagazola Makama gathered from sources that the incident occurred early in the morning when members of the Askarawa security outfit and their counterparts from the Yan Maiduguri group were on their way to Sungawa village for a rescue operation.
The operatives reportedly ran into an ambush laid by armed bandits, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. Three members of the team were killed on the spot, two from the Askarawa unit and one from the Yan Maiduguri group.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Sani Lawali (popularly known as Danjinjiri) and Garba Sarkin Arna, both from the Askarawa vigilante, and Umar Mustapha, a member of the Yan Maiduguri team.
One other operative, Umar Usman of the Yan Maiduguri, was declared missing after the attack. Search efforts are ongoing to locate him.
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The Yan Maiduguri security group was recently engaged by the Executive Chairman of Tsafe Local Government Council, Hon. Garba Shehu Fancher, to work alongside the Askarawa in strengthening community-based security and protecting rural communities from bandit incursions.
In a related development, eight Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers were reportedly ambushed by bandits near Mulasa Poultry Farm, Gidan Giye about one kilometre from Tsafe town. Six Mopol were reportedly killed while two were hospitalised with various degrees of injuries.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have since mobilised reinforcements to the affected areas, while investigations and coordinated search operations are ongoing to track down the attackers.
