17 policemen confirmed killed in Yobe

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 17 police officers following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the officers were undergoing special operational training when the attackers struck the facility in the early hours of May 8, in what authorities described as a coordinated assault.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the terrorists launched the attack from multiple directions at about 1:15am, overwhelming parts of the training institution during the incident.

“The officers, who were undergoing specialized operational training at the institution, lost their lives when terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the facility from multiple directions at about 0115hrs,” the statement said.

The Force also confirmed that several personnel of the Nigerian Army were killed while repelling the attackers during the exchange.

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, according to the statement, described the deceased officers as courageous personnel who demonstrated exceptional commitment to national security through advanced counter-terrorism and tactical training.

He said the fallen officers paid the supreme price in service to the nation and assured that their sacrifice would not be forgotten by the Force.

The IGP extended condolences to the bereaved families and pledged continued support for those affected by the incident.

“As part of a solidarity visit, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, visited the training facility on behalf of the Inspector-General, where he commiserated with military authorities and surviving trainees,” he said.

He also commended the resilience of surviving officers and encouraged them to complete their training in honour of their fallen colleagues.

The Police further assured Nigerians that, in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, efforts were ongoing to track and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

The Force reiterated its commitment to honouring the memory of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. (Punch)