The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bala Wakili, during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Kebbe Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the officer “paid the supreme price” while carrying out his duty.
He disclosed that additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities and assured residents that the situation had been brought under control.
Rufa’i added that security agencies were working to track down the attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.
ASP Bala Wakili was attached to the Kebbe Police Division.
Sources told 21st century, that the incident occurred on Monday at about 4 p.m. when suspected bandits invaded Girkau and Zugu villages and rustled an unspecified number of livestock.
According to a source familiar with the operation, a joint security team comprising police officers, soldiers and members of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps laid an ambush for the attackers as they were leaving Zugu village.
The source said the confrontation lasted for more than one hour.
“The security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, but the attackers were in large numbers. They eventually overpowered the team, killed ASP Bala Wakili and set ablaze two patrol vehicles — one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps,” the source said.
Another security operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and said the body of the slain officer was recovered after the attack.
He added that the late ASP was buried on Tuesday.
The latest attack is one of several security incidents recorded in parts of Sokoto State in recent months, particularly in communities bordering areas frequently targeted by bandit groups.
