At least five police officers have been killed after suspected bandits ambushed a police team along the Sokoto-Gusau highway.
The incident occurred on Monday night, November 2, when the officers were travelling in a Zamfara State mass transit bus, popularly known as Bazamfara, en route to Gusau.
Police sources said the officers were deployed from Sokoto to Zamfara for a special duty to provide security for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Zamfara North Senatorial District holding in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the bandits intercepted the bus around the border corridor between the two states and opened fire at close range, killing the officers instantly. Some other officers were feared abducted, though the exact number could not be ascertained as of press time.
Videos circulating on social media showed the white and green transit bus riddled with bullet holes, shattered windows and bloodstains, with lifeless bodies of officers inside.
The Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 10, Sokoto, DSP Abdullahi Faruk, said the remains of the five deceased officers had been deposited at the morgue of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.
Faruk said investigation into the attack had commenced and promised to provide further details later.
The Zone 10 Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Ambursa, also confirmed the attack but said he was currently in the hospital and would issue an official statement later.
The Sokoto-Gusau highway has remained a hotspot for banditry, kidnapping and ambushes on security operatives in recent months.