The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Maru Local Government Area of the state, SP Kazeem Kareem, and an Inspector, Rabiu Umar.
The Command said the DPO and Inspector were killed by gunmen on Saturday as they responded to a distress call.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the command, SP Mohammed Shehu, said the Commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf, prayed Almighty Allah to repose the departed souls and give their families and relations the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Shehu said: “On March 5, 2023, around 2am, gunmen in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Maru Division with intent to destabilise the security architecture of the town in order to easily attack and abduct members of the community.
“However, the late DPO and team gallantly put up a strong resistance to repel the attackers.
“Unfortunately, himself and Inspector Rabiu lost their lives while protecting the public.
“The Commissioner of Police has deployed reinforcement to pursue the fleeing hoodlums and arrest them for investigation and prosecution.”