Four policemen working with the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have died in the service of their nation.
They were killed on Saturday in the northern state of Kaduna by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. Six of the kidnappers were also killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The leader of the team, Mr Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, confirmed the killings and the deaths of the gallant policemen to NAN on Sunday.
Kyari said the incident happened when the suspected gunmen ambushed the operatives during a follow up operation on the kidnapping of one Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna.
“The incident occurred sequel to the kidnapping of Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna State on August 2, 2018 and his subsequent release after ransom was paid.
“In follow up to the case on August 11, 2018, IRT operatives arrested two of the kidnappers in a remote settlement inside Rigasa Forest in Kaduna State.
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“As the team was coming out of the bush with the arrested kidnappers, other gang-members hiding inside the bush ambushed the IRT team and opened fire which resulted to the death of four IRT operatives.
“Those killed are three police inspectors – Benard Odibo, Mamman Abubakar, Haruna Ibrahim – and one Sergeant, Emmanuel Istifanis.
“Bodies of the deceased operatives were deposited at St. Gerald Hospital Mortuary, Kaduna State, for autopsy.
“Very serious efforts in progress to get the killers to justice,” he said.
Abba Kyari also disclosed in a post on Facebook that six of the deadly Kidnappers also died during the gun-battle.
“One officer was treated for bullet wounds and discharged while the remaining officers who survived the ambush are in good health condition.”
