At least three police officers have been shot dead by gunmen suspected to be bandits in Tordamisa community, Donga Local Government Area, Taraba State.
A 60-year-old Chairman of the Vigilante Group in Tordamisa Village, Nutsa Tyav, was also killed in the attack.
The incident was confirmed in a press statement by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer of Taraba State Police Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah.
According to the statement, the operation followed a distress report from Zaki Orbanga, a resident of Tordamisa, Akate Ward, who reported that armed men suspected to be bandits had attacked Tse Kwe village.
“Upon receiving the information, a police team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Donga, alongside operatives of the Special Force, was immediately mobilized to the scene to restore order and protect residents. On arrival, the suspected bandits opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. The police operatives responded swiftly and repelled the attackers,” the statement said.
“Regrettably, CPL Raphael Danjuma and PC Ebenezer Daniel sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the line of duty. Another officer, PC Samuel Bawa, was initially reported missing during the operation; a search party later recovered his body in a nearby bush. The corpse of Nutsa Tyav, Chairman of the Vigilante Group, was also recovered following the attack,” it added.
CP Betty Enekpen, the Commissioner of Police, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officers and the vigilante member, describing their deaths as a supreme sacrifice in the service of the state and nation.
The Command extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Security operations have been intensified in the area as authorities continue efforts to track down and apprehend the perpetrators. The Command also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to help bring the culprits to justice.
