The Zamfara State Police has refuted an online media report which said 20 security operatives were killed in the state by bandits, stressing that only three were killed.
According to the report, “No fewer than 20 operatives of Nigeria security agencies have been reportedly butchered in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and bodies set ablaze by the notorious bandits operating in the state.”
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But in a press release, the spokesperson of the command, SP Mohammed Shehu said only one policeman and two Civil Defence personnel lost their lives.
Shehu said, “The attention of Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to misleading report published by an Online Media, that ‘no fewer than 20 operatives of Nigeria security agencies have been reportedly butchered in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and bodies set ablaze by the notorious bandits operating in the state’.
“The Command wishes to state that the report was inaccurate, and was published by the said media in an attempt to create fear and panic into the minds of the citizens.
“What happened was that on 28th October 2021, Joint Police/Civil Defence Operatives deployed along K/Namoda – Shinkafi Road to stem the tide of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes were ambushed by suspected armed bandits who came in large numbers.
“The operatives who were always at red alert engaged the hoodlums to an extensive gun duel that lasted for hours. Some of the assailants were neutralised while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
“Unfortunately, A Police operative and two Civil Defence personnel paid the supreme price and their corpses were evacuated and burried accordingly.”
Shehu, who said the Commissioner of Police has deployed reinforcement of Police Tactical operatives to the area, reiterated the continuous commitment and resilience of the Police to rid the state of all activities of criminal elements.
The Command urged members of the public to ignore the outrageous number reported by the online paper and continue to be security conscious while going about their legitimate business.
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The command has also enjoined Media Practitioners to always verify information from appropriate authority before publication.
