Taraba Police Confirm Killing of Three Officers, Vigilante Leader During Bandit Attack
The Nigeria Police Force in Taraba State has confirmed the killing of three police officers and a local vigilante leader during a bandit attack in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Jalingo, the command said the incident followed a distress call from a resident of Tordamisa Akate Ward, reporting an invasion by armed men suspected to be bandits.
Police authorities said a response team, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Donga and supported by special forces operatives, was immediately deployed to restore order and protect residents.
According to the command, the situation escalated into a deadly confrontation in Tse Kwe Village, where the operatives came under heavy gunfire, resulting in a fierce exchange. Three officers and a vigilante leader were killed in the process.
“Upon arrival, the officers came under heavy gunfire from the attackers, leading to a fierce exchange. In the course of the operation, the police operatives engaged the bandits and successfully repelled the attack,” the statement said.
The slain officers were identified as Corporal Raphael Danjuma, Police Constable Ebenezer Daniel, and Police Constable Samuel Bawa. Bawa was initially declared missing before his body was later recovered in a nearby bush during a search operation.
The attack also claimed the life of 60-year-old Nutsa Tyav, chairman of the local vigilante group in Tordamisa Village.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Betty Enepen Isokpan Otimenyin, expressed shock over the incident, describing the deceased as heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to their communities and the nation.
She extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the sacrifices of the victims would not be in vain.
The commissioner added that security has been reinforced in the area, with ongoing operations to track down those responsible for the attack. She also urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information to aid investigations.
