Armed bandits
Suspected gunmen have ambushed a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing a police inspector and a lance corporal of the Nigerian Air Force before fleeing with their service weapons.
Security sources according to a statement by a security expert, ZagaZola Makama, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 4, along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida road.
According to intelligence sources, the incident happened at about 5:00 a.m. after four security personnel drawn from two guard locations mounted a snap roadblock in the area as part of routine security operations.
The sources disclosed that the operatives were returning to their respective duty posts when two members of the team failed to arrive, raising concerns among their colleagues.
This prompted security forces to immediately launch a search and clearance operation in the area.
During the operation, troops discovered the bodies of a Nigeria Police Force inspector and a lance corporal of the Nigerian Air Force. Their service rifles were reportedly missing, with the attackers believed to have taken them after the assault.
The bodies of the slain personnel were evacuated from the scene, while the motorcycle used by the victims was recovered.
According to the sources, preliminary investigations suggested that the ambush occurred near a location previously occupied by Fulani herders, who were said to have left the area with their cattle before reinforcement teams arrived.
The attack site was also reported to be close to a Berom community.
Following the incident, security forces launched cordon-and-search operations across nearby communities as part of efforts to track down the assailants and recover the stolen weapons.
Authorities said investigations into the attack are ongoing, adding that more details are expected as security operations continue in the area.
