Police in Nasarawa State have prevented a deadly ambush by gunmen along the Kadarko-Makurdi Road in Keana Local Government Area, near the Benue border. According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, the attack happened late Tuesday night around 10:55 p.m. when armed men suspected to have emerged from the Benue forest opened fire on officers stationed in the area.
The police team responded with superior firepower, engaging the attackers in a gun battle that forced them to retreat back into the forest, likely with injuries. During the exchange, Inspector Sunday Apochie suffered gunshot wounds. He was rescued by a reinforcement unit from the Kadarko Division, who also recovered his AK-47 rifle from the scene.
Tragically, a civilian living nearby was struck by a stray bullet from the gunmen and died on the spot. The injured officer was initially taken to a local health centre in Kadarko before being transferred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia. He is currently receiving treatment and is said to be responding well.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed has ordered a full-scale investigation and manhunt to capture the attackers. He also visited the injured officer in hospital and offered words of support, while expressing sympathy to the family of the deceased civilian. The command has assured residents that efforts are being intensified to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and that such attacks are prevented in the future.
