Police officer shot dead in Anambra during mistaken identity clash with DSS operatives

By: Zagazola Makama

A police inspector attached to the 29 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Awka, was fatally shot during a stop-and-search duty at Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, in what appears to be a mistaken identity incident involving operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred on June 24 at about 5:50 p.m. along the Onitsha/Owerri Expressway near Danaks Filling Station, Uli.

The sources said a team of mobile police officers deployed for highway patrol had flagged down an unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicle, which emerged from a nearby track road and was driving one-way against traffic. The suspicious movement prompted the officers to attempt a search.

Eyewitness accounts from fellow officers indicate that the occupants of the vehicle, dressed in black uniforms and reportedly armed with assault rifles, refused to comply, leading to an altercation. The occupants then opened fire on the police team, fatally wounding Inspector Bello Abdulahi in the lower rib.

The injured officer was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala, but was later referred to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation.

The attackers, later identified as DSS operatives attached to the Ihiala Local Government Secretariat, fled the scene immediately after the incident.

The Department of State Services headquarters in Awka has been formally notified, and an investigation has been launched to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The tragic incident has sparked calls for improved inter-agency coordination to prevent similar occurrences in future.

Police officer shot dead in Anambra during mistaken identity clash with DSS operatives

Sokoto police arrest notorious bandit, recover AK-47 rifle

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Sokoto have arrested a suspected notorious bandit, leading to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest was made on June 23 at about 6:30 a.m. following actionable intelligence.

The suspect, identified as Rabi’u Antoro, was taken into custody and during interrogation confessed to being in possession of a firearm.
Following the confession, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, on June 24, recovered one AK-47 rifle.

Sokoto police arrest notorious bandit, recover AK-47 rifle

Armed bandit kills rival in Zamfara, triggers deadly reprisal attack that claims 10 lives

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent internal dispute among rival armed bandit groups has led to the killing of at least ten residents in Tofa village, Magami District, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident began on June 22 when a notorious bandit identified as Uban Gora from the western flank of Tofa allegedly pursued and robbed a Golf vehicle traveling from Dansadau.

In a twist of events, another bandit from the eastern part of the village, reportedly angered by the robbery, confronted and fatally shot Uban Gora.

According to local accounts, the killing sparked a chain of deadly reprisals. On receiving the news of Uban Gora’s death, his gang leader mobilized heavily armed men and stormed Tofa village on June 23, opening fire on residents and killing ten people before fleeing the scene. Several people reportedly sustained injuries during the attack.

Community members buried the deceased according to Islamic rites.

Armed bandit kills rival in Zamfara, triggers deadly reprisal attack that claims 10 lives