Five mobile policemen and three civilians have been shot dead at Gatikawa community, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The mobile policemen were said to be on special duty from Kano.
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Sources said the incident occurred at about 5:35pm on Wednesday, when over 300 gunmen stormed the community and started shooting sporadically to scare the residents.
One of the sources said the gunmen, who wielded automatic weapons and rode on motorcycles, went from house to house carting away anything of value, including money and food items.
He said several residents were also injured, especially those who attempted to escape.
He said residents have been apprehensive following the attack, and that some persons have relocated to the neighbouring communities for fear of another attack.
This is the second time in a month when police officers would be killed by bandits.
On July 5, 2022, gunmen killed the senior police officer in charge of Dutsinma council area, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aminu Umar, alongside one other police officer and several civilians.
Reply a text message sent to him, police spokesperson in the state, SP Gambo Isah, wrote, “True, five Policemen from Kano on special duty at Kankara and three villagers of Gatakawa, were killed.”
The mobile policemen were said to be on special duty from Kano.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Idrisu Dabban Dauda, has presented cheques of N14.6m to families and next of kin of the deceased police officers, who died while in active service, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, the presentation of the cheques was part of the IGP’s Family Welfare Insurance Scheme being given to families of deceased Police Officers.
