• Bandits kill two policemen, abduct one Chinese, native in Kwara
In yet another coordinated ground operation of troops with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), dozens of terrorists were killed, while a cache of arms and ammunition were recovered in Buratai and Malam Fatori communities in Borno state.
While thwarting the twin attacks, the ground troops swiftly engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, while the Air Component provided aerial support to the gallant ground troops in the Malam Fatori border community with Niger.
In a statement released yesterday in Maiduguri, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, OPHK Theatre Command, Cpt. Rueben Kovangiya, revealed: “The foiled attack on Buratai occurred in the early hours of Thursday, when the insurgents attempted to deceitfully infiltrate troops’ location from all directions.”
Also, two mobile policemen were killed on Wednesday, while a Chinese national and a Nigerian miner were abducted by armed bandits at Oreke-Okeigbo, in Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State.
The policemen were Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah. The duo attached to PMF, Abuja, were kidnapped while on official protective assignment. According to information, the attackers also carted away the rifles of the two deceased police officers.
The State Police Command confirmed this in a statement yesterday. The police’s spokesperson in Kwara, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, and the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Sunday Micheal Afolabi, confirmed the incident to newsmen on a telephone chat.
The monarch said that the deadly attack and abduction incident occurred at about 06:00:30 p.m. last Wednesday at a mining site in Oreke-Okeigbo.
Also, according to the police’s statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke said that a group of unidentified armed assailants invaded the mining facility, where they tragically shot and killed the two police officers.
“In addition to the heinous killings, the assailants abducted two individuals, a Chinese national, Mr Sam Xie Wie, and a native of Kogi State, Mr David Adenaiye, who was working at the mining site at the time of the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, condemned the killings and assured the public that the Command has since swung into decisive action. He said: “Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts are currently underway to ensure a swift rescue of the abducted victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
“The Command is working in synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and prevent a recurrence,” the statement added.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and be law-abiding, as the Command remains fully committed to protecting life and property across the state.
