Two police officers killed in bandits’ attack on Kebbi border checkpoint

According to an account, the bandits were said to have invaded the police checkpoint in large numbers and shot indiscriminately at the officers.

The state Command Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bashir Usman has confirmed the attack..

This is the third attack on the police along Bakin Ruwa–Maje border. No fewer than five officers had been killed in similar manner.

The gunmen reportedly intercepted vehicles plying the route and whisked away passengers into nearby forests on Wednesday night.

A commercial driver, whose colleague was among those affected, told reporters that the attackers stopped multiple vehicles and abducted passengers during the operation.

According to him, about eight passengers were initially believed to have been taken by the armed men from three vehicles travelling along the route.

Two additional sources familiar with the incident also confirmed the attack. One resident said the presence of security aircraft hovering over Kishi yesterday morning was unusual and had heightened anxiety among residents.

She said: “We saw security aircraft flying over the town very early this morning, which is not a common sight here. People are worried because of the attack that happened during the night.”

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Sources further said members of community vigilance groups had been mobilised and dispatched into surrounding forests to assist in search-and-rescue operations aimed at locating the victims.

Kishi, a border town in the far northern part of Oyo and the administrative headquarters of Irepo Local Government Area, has since been gripped by tension following the incident.

The Oyo Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Ayanlade Olayinka, upon receiving information about the attack, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, ordered an immediate security response.

According to him, Divisional Police Officers in Kishi and Igbeti, supported by tactical units, were directed to deploy operational assets to facilitate the safe rescue of the victims and ensure the arrest of those responsible.

He added that coordinated search-and-rescue operations were already underway, with security personnel combing surrounding areas while intensifying intelligence gathering to track down the suspects.

Olayinka assured residents that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

He also urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing operations.