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Bandits, Hoodlums, Others Kill 28 Policemen In 3 Months

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Suspected IPOB Bomb Maker Arrested By Police In Imo State

At least 28 Nigerian policemen have been killed by bandits, hoodlums and other criminals in the past three months a recent survey has revealed.

The deaths range from those killed by insurgents to those killed during unprovoked attacks on police stations and formations across the country.

As published in earlier reports by Naija News, some of the recent attacks on police include Thursday’s unprovoked attack on the Aboh Mbaise Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State as hoodlums attacked and burnt down the police facility.

Also, four policemen who were gunned down by gunmen at a checkpoint in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

It was gathered incident reportedly happened in the wee hours of Thursday at Ayanmbat community near Idundu in the Aka Efa area of the state.

An eyewitness said the gunmen swooped on the unsuspecting policemen and gunned them down in cold blood while resting at the location.

Recently, in another development, unknown gunmen have reportedly killed four policemen at Nkpologwu, in Aguata local government area of Anambra State and took their rifles away while a Police Inspector attached to the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police was on Monday burnt to death by suspected hoodlums during an attack.

The incident reportedly happened at Ikpe Annang junction in Essien Udim Local government of Akwa Ibom State.

These reported attacks and killings are all different from the police operatives killed during last year’s #EndSARS protest and violence according to the report by The Nation.

Commenting on the spate of killings, Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba noted that the matter is receiving due attention, and the Inspector-General of Police while mourning with the families of those who have lost their lives, has rolled out new measures to secure the life of the police operatives.

He said: “Actions are being taken. The position of the IG was clearly stated in my press release following the unprovoked attack on Abayi Police Station in Aba on February 23 where the state command successfully neutralised four attackers, arrested eight and recovered arms, ammunition from the hoodlums.

“The IG has warned that dire consequences await any person or group of persons who, under whatever guise, engages in an unwarranted attack on any public property and directs all command CPs to employ all legally permissible measures to protect police facilities, personnel as well as all Nigerians.

“He has also directed that a comprehensive investigation be conducted into all cases of murder of police personnel across the country. Our policemen already know that the number one rule in protecting lives and properties is that they must protect themselves. They have to stay alive to be able to protect others.

“We are also appealing to Nigerians to know that police property are theirs. Policemen and woman are their brothers and sisters. We are working towards more public engagements and enlightenment through the community policing framework.

“We need our people to take ownership by so doing, whenever they hear or see any criminal plotting to commit a crime, they will share the information and such crimes will be prevented.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has rejected calls for “blanket amnesty” to be given to bandits, stressing that it will encourage other criminal groups to take up arms.

Recall that renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Ahmad Gumi, who had been visiting bandits in the various forest had called on the federal government to give amnesty to bandits just like it was given to Niger Delta mkilitants.

But speaking when he featuring on a Channels Television Programme on Sunday, Senator Ndume warned that another form of criminality may emerge if “blanket amnesty” is offered to bandits.

The lawmaker stressed that such new armed groups would hope that the government will also negotiate with them.