Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Katsina, Nigeria — Despite a recently agreed peace arrangement aimed at curbing violence and criminality in parts of the northwest, suspected bandits carried out a deadly ambush this evening along the Guga–Bakori road in Katsina State, killing three Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers and critically injuring two others.
The attack occurred at Lailai, a community in Bakori Local Government Area, where sources say the assailants had earlier blocked the highway to rob motorists and travelers. According to eyewitnesses and local residents, the bandits established checkpoints along the road and targeted vehicles shortly before security forces arrived.
Responding to distress calls from motorists, officers of the MOPOL unit stationed in Guga mobilised to the scene to intervene. However, as the police vehicle approached the blocked section of the road, the attackers launched a well-coordinated ambush, opening heavy gunfire on the officers. The ferocity of the assault caused the police vehicle to overturn, trapping and fatally injuring some of the personnel.
Three officers died instantly at the scene from gunshot wounds. Two others, who sustained critical injuries, were rushed to the General Hospital in Funtua for medical attention. Hospital officials later confirmed that the three officers succumbed to their wounds.
Residents who witnessed or heard about the ambush described scenes of chaos and fear as heavy gunfire echoed along the usually busy road. Many travelers were forced to flee on foot toward nearby settlements to escape the violence.
The attack has reignited concerns over the security of highways and rural routes across Katsina State, where armed banditry has persisted despite efforts by security agencies and community leaders to broker peace agreements with criminal elements. Locals lament that attacks on civilians and security personnel continue with alarming frequency, undermining movements, commerce, and daily life.
“We heard intense gunshots and saw vehicles stopped on the road before the police arrived,” one resident close to the scene said. “It is very sad that our brave officers lost their lives trying to protect citizens.”
Calls for urgent action have grown louder across the state, with residents demanding that security agencies reinforce patrols, improve intelligence gathering, and deploy additional resources along vulnerable roads such as the Guga–Bakori corridor. Civil society groups and community leaders also urged government authorities to ensure that peace agreements are backed by concrete measures that can prevent further ambushes and protect lives and property.
The Katsina State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the ambush and the identities of the deceased officers. Officials at the time of filing this report could not be reached for comment.
The violence comes at a time when several local peace initiatives have been underway, aimed at reducing banditry and facilitating safer travel across rural and peri-urban areas. Analysts say that the continued ability of armed groups to strike security forces underscores the complexity of the security challenges confronting the region and the need for more robust and coordinated responses from federal and state security apparatus.
The deaths of the three MOPOL officers mark a somber reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement personnel operating in high-threat environments, and they are likely to heighten calls for improved protective measures and strategic security planning across Katsina and neighbouring states. Residents and stakeholders now await an official response and action plan from authorities to address the latest escalation in violence.
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