Residents of Damba, a community in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, have expressed fear for their safety after suspected bandits killed three policemen during a nighttime attack on a security post.
The attack reportedly occurred around 1am on Saturday, October 17, when armed assailants arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and opened fire on officers stationed in the area.
The shooting triggered panic among residents, some of whom reportedly fled their homes amid fears of further attacks.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Sani, said he was preparing for bed when he heard gunshots close to his residence.
He said he attempted to contact military personnel in Gusau but could not get through. He subsequently called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Damba, who arrived with additional officers after the attackers had reportedly escaped.
Sani said the exchange of gunfire lasted several minutes, leaving three policemen dead.
He added that the shooting frightened residents, many of whom remained awake for the rest of the night because of concerns that the attackers could return.
Residents have appealed to the state and federal governments to strengthen security in the community, citing previous cases of kidnapping and ransom demands.
One resident, identified as Alhaji Shibkau Mudi, said people had been abducted in the area despite its proximity to the seat of government in Gusau.
He alleged that some abductees regained their freedom after large ransom payments.
Mudi expressed concern that the latest attack could undermine residents’ confidence in the security measures put in place to protect the community.
He appealed for more security personnel, warning that residents who depend on civil service jobs and businesses could be forced to leave if the situation deteriorated further.
According to the report, some residents had already relocated, while others had reportedly sold their houses and moved away from the state. The number of people affected was not specified.
CP warns officers against sleeping on duty
Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohammed Bello visited the Damba police station following the deaths and criticised what he described as a lack of seriousness among some officers in carrying out their duties.
Bello said he had visited the post several days before the attack and found the officers assigned to the location asleep.
“Before the incident occurred, I visited the place where the three officers lost their lives and unfortunately, I met all of them sleeping,” he said.
The commissioner warned that the command would not tolerate such conduct and that officers found neglecting their responsibilities would face disciplinary action.
His comments raised questions about the readiness of personnel assigned to protect the area, although the available report did not establish whether the officers’ alleged conduct during the earlier visit contributed to the subsequent attack.
The police spokesperson in Zamfara, DSP Yazid Abubakar, could not be reached for comment, according to the report.
Residents demand stronger security
The killings have renewed concerns about the safety of residents in Zamfara, where armed groups have carried out attacks, kidnappings and killings targeting civilians and security personnel.
In Damba, residents are calling for additional security deployments and more effective measures to prevent further attacks.
The identities of the assailants, the circumstances surrounding the attack and whether any arrests have been made were not established in the report.
