The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has mourned the killing of eight personnel of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards by armed men.
The personnel of the State’s Security Outfit, established by the governor to augment the efforts of security agencies in the state, were reportedly killed in an ambush at their checkpoint in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The Commander of the guard, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Lawal confirmed the incident noting that the personnel were deployed to the area due to the spate of kidnapping of travellers along the Gusau-Funtua Highway.
The commander said, “The bandits slept in a community around the area. In the morning when the Hilux vehicle dropped the first set to our personnel and returned to pick others, the bandits who had already laid ambush opened fire on them and unfortunately, we lost eight of our men, and one traveller was also shot.”
Reacting to the situation, Governor Lawal described the attack as a barbaric act committed by dispersed bandits on the run.
His reaction, which was captured in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris said, “I received the unfortunate report of an ambush by bandits yesterday in Tsafe local government area, during which nine of our brave Community Protection Guards were killed.
“The Guards ambushed and killed are Nasiru Aliyu, Jabiru Hassan, Abdullahi Dangude, Bashar Bawa, Mu’azu Musa, Anas Dahiru, Anas Yakubu, Lawali Yunusa, and one other. The bandits’ ambush on our guards was a cowardly act, as they were dispersed and, on the run, due to sustained troop onslaught across the state.
“The troops will continue the renewed onslaught to defeat bandits in the state and the entire region. I want to take this opportunity to extend my condolences on behalf of the government and people of Zamfara State to the families and loved ones of our brave guards. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. I hope those injured recover at the earliest.
“My government is committed to providing all necessary support to the families of the frontline guards who lost their lives.”