Three police officers were killed and two others injured following an ambush by suspected armed bandits along the Guga–Bakori road in Katsina State. The attack occurred on Tuesday around 12:44 p.m. while a team of police officers was conducting a routine anti-crime patrol.
A local resident, Usman Ibrahim, told Arewa PUNCH that three officers died instantly, while the injured officers were rushed to Bakori General Hospital for medical attention. The deceased were members of the Mobile Police (MOPOL) attached to the Guga detachment.
Ibrahim added that the officers’ patrol vehicle was severely damaged when it was forced off the road and overturned near Layin ‘Yannehu, roughly four kilometres south of the Guga–Bakori axis. He noted that the ambush has reignited concerns about growing insecurity in the Bakori–Kankara corridor.
The Bakori Divisional Police Officer, SP Adamu Hamza, alongside operatives of the Department of State Services, responded to the incident, arriving shortly after the fatal attack.
Confirming the event, Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, stated that the officers “responded bravely, repelling the assault.” Despite their courage, three officers lost their lives, and two sustained injuries. The statement further noted that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Bakori–Kankara axis has been a hotspot for banditry in Katsina State, experiencing frequent attacks, kidnappings, and violent assaults. The recent surge in violence comes despite a prior peace agreement between local communities and armed groups, highlighting the fragile nature of the accord.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, support law enforcement, and provide credible information to assist in curbing insecurity in the region.













