Four policemen, CJTF member killed in Borno terrorists attacks

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Four policemen and a Civilian Joint Task Force member were killed in attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Nganzai and Damasak communities of Borno State.

ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the spoke person for the Borno Police Command announced this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the first attack by armed terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP was on Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters early Saturday morning.

The terrorists, he said, attacked the police station in an attempt to overrun the town.

But he said police divisional officers, in collaboration with PMF operatives and Crack Squad on special duty, engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.

Daso said four policemen were killed by the gunmen who deployed Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and other sophisticated weapons at the end of the battle.

He added that the terrorists also caused damage to a section of the station and partially burnt an unserviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

‘Regrettably, four police personnel paid the supreme price in the line of duty,’ the Borno Police spokesperson said.

Daso addes that in a related incident, the terrorists also in the early hours of Saturday Mallam Fatori IDP Camp in Damasak, targeting a CJTF/Hunters duty post at the entrance of the camp.

“During the attack, one member of the Hunters Group, Atom Abua (40 years), lost his life, while about twenty thatched houses and properties were destroyed,” he said.

Daso added that combined teams of the Police, Military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters responded swiftly, repelled the attackers, and prevented further damage in both instances.

He added that Borno Commissioner of Police CP Naziru Abdulmajid has deployed additional manpower and operational assets to the affected areas to strengthen security, intensify ongoing operations, and prevent any further attacks.

“The CP commends the bravery and resilience of the officers who confronted the assailants and prevented them from overrunning the town. He also extends his condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and assures that the Command is committed to tracking down the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and continue to support security agencies with credible information.

“The Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across Borno State. Further updates will be communicated as developments unfold,” Daso said in the statement.