Eight security personnel were reportedly killed by bandits on Thursday near the Tazame village of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
An indigene of the area, Mubarak Mohammed told PUNCH Online that the security personnel, consisting of five policemen and three soldiers, were attached to a road construction company, Satraco Nigeria Limited, when the armed bandits suddenly came out of their hiding place and opened fire.
Mohammed explained that the deceased police and military personnel were always on the road to give protection to the construction workers who were repairing the Gusau-Tsafe-Zaria road.
He said, “The bandits laid an ambush in a nearby farm close to the main road and immediately the police and the military personnel arrived at the place, they (bandits) opened fire instantly, killing some of them.
“There was a heavy fight between the bandits and the security personnel which further led to the killing of other security personnel.
“Some of the bandits were also killed during the encounter.”
Muhammad stated that there was pandemonium on the road as motorists ran helter-skelter, leaving their vehicles on the road, and running to the bush for their lives.
According to Mohammed, the construction work has been going on since last year but only a few kilometres were covered because of the constant bandits attacks.
“This work has been going on for several months ago, but only a few kilometres were covered because the bandits are always here to attack either the construction workers or those travelling on the road,” he added.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the attack on Thursday.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, said efforts were on to ascertain the causalities involved.
Abubakar could however not confirm the number of officers killed as he was yet to get a field report from the team deployed to sequel the attack.
He said, “There was an attack that happened today and we are on the issue now. Inshallah, when we conclude our report I will send a release; right down we are on the issue.”
On the number of causalities, Abubakar said, “As we speak, I haven’t received the actual number yet but we are on it. I will inform you in detail as soon as our officers return.
“Since morning our officers have been in the bush for the rescue operation. I’m expecting them to call me. I tried calling but no network there. Once they have a network I will contact them because I want to get the actual thing that happened.” PUNCH