An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bala Wakili, has lost his life following a fierce gun battle between a joint security team and suspected bandits in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
ASP Wakili, who was serving with the Kebbe Police Division, was reportedly killed during an operation aimed at intercepting armed bandits who had raided Girkau and Zugu villages on Monday afternoon. The attackers were said to have stormed the communities around 4:00 p.m., making away with an undisclosed number of livestock.
According to local sources, a combined team comprising police officers, military personnel and members of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps laid an ambush for the fleeing bandits near Zugu village. The operation quickly escalated into an intense exchange of gunfire that reportedly lasted for over an hour.
Despite putting up strong resistance, the security operatives were overwhelmed by the large number of attackers. ASP Bala Wakili was fatally shot during the confrontation, while the bandits also set two patrol vehicles ablaze—one belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps.
A security operative, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the officer’s body was later recovered from the scene and buried on Tuesday.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the fallen officer paid the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out his duty to protect lives and property.
He disclosed that additional security personnel have since been deployed to the affected communities to strengthen security and reassure residents. The police spokesperson also stated that efforts are ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the attack while preventing further security breaches in the area.
