Suspected fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have killed a Superintendent of Police Pius Sunday Swanta in Marte LGA, Borno State, on Monday night.
The terrorists sneaked into New Marte and ambushed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his team, killing the officer.
A security source said the real target was one Dr. Adamu Fatai in New Marte, but on noticing suspicious movement, Dr Fatai alerted the DPO.
“The police countered the threat, but the ISWAP fighters shot the DPO and wounded others around 2am while residents were asleep.
“They trekked into the town without any vehicles or motorcycles,” the source said.
The wounded policemen were taken to Maiduguri General Hospital along with the body of the DPO.
A week ag, the ISWAP invaded New Marte, killing the head of the civilian Joint Task Force in the area.
After the killing of the DPO, troops ordered the locals to remain indoors, accusing them of collaborating with ISWAP.
“The soldiers accused us of being collaborators with ISWAP. They imposed a curfew and warned that anyone who ventured outside would be killed. They intend to conduct house-to-house searches,” a resident, who does not want to be named, said.
The residents expressed their distress, saying the DPO had defended them for the past two years and appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum for help.
The Borno Police command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said the authorities are working to determine the circumstances of the attack.
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has imposed curfew on Marte LGA.
