Bandits kill DPO in Katsina ambush, three officers injured

Muhammad Sani Sagir, the Divisional Police Officer in Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, has been killed in an ambush by suspected bandits.

The incident occurred on Friday morning in Magaji community, Majen-Gobir ward of the Local Government Area.

Bakatsine, a security analyst, disclosed the development in a post, saying Sagir and his team responded to a distress call over cattle rustling around 10am.

The operatives reportedly pursued the suspects into a nearby forest in a bid to recover the stolen livestock but were said to have come under heavy gunfire during the operation.

Sagir sustained critical injuries and later died, while three other police officers and a woman were wounded in the attack. The assailants reportedly fled with additional cattle and livestock.

Bakatsine said one bandit was killed during the confrontation and some of the rustled animals were recovered.

The injured victims have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while authorities have launched a manhunt for the fleeing attackers as the community reels from the ambush.