Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has expressed shock at the killing of 13 police officers by suspected bandits at a mobile camp in Kurar Mota community, Bagudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The governor’s reaction was contained in a statement by Director-General, Media, Public Enlightenment and Communications, Government House, Gusau, Malam Yusuf Idris.
The statement said the governor expressed “devastation“ when he visited 7 injured policemen who were receiving treatment at the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau.
The statement read, “It was on receipt of the news of the unfortunate incident that the governor immediately rushed to the hospital to sympathise with those currently receiving treatment at the facility.
“While lamenting the attack, Matawalle promised to partner with other security agencies in the state to track down the attackers and all their sponsors and bring them to justice.
“The police officers were ambushed at a mobile police camp set up as part of the measures taken by the government to fight bandits in the state.”
The governor, who was highly devastated by the sad incident, said the troops were doing well at the war front and had reduced the number of terrorists in the area.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command had confirmed the killing of the 13 personnel with seven others injured by the attackers.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the incident in a separate statement issued on Sunday.
Shehu said, “The attack occurred on Sunday at about 1230hrs when Police Mobile operatives deployed at Kurar Mota Village were responding to a distress call with regards to an attempt by the bandits to attack some nearby communities.
“Unfortunately, thirteen personnel paid the supreme price. However, the bandits on their part suffered heavy casualties.”
