The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has said that suspected bandits have killed one of its officers and injured two others in Birniwa Local Government Area of the state.
The State NIS Comptroller, ACG Ismail Abba, confirmed this when he briefed newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday.
Abba said the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 11:20pm when the bandits attacked one of its patrol bases on Birniwa-Galadi axis.
He said: “The bandits arrived at the base on two motorcycles.
“One was carrying three persons and the other one was carrying two persons.
“Immediately on arrival, they opened fire on the Immigration staff on patrol, which resulted in the death of one of the staff named Abdullahi Mohammed (CIA) and another two of the team members sustained serious bullet wound.
“They are Abba Musa Kiyawa (DSI) and Zubairu Garba (AII).
“As a result of heavy exchange of fire, the bandits fled into the bush and abandoned their motorcycles and handset (Techno T5 mobile phone).
“The two motorcycles are Bajaj with chasis no: MD2A18AXS7MWK81092 and Royal with chasis no: RY157FMINILI2607, all now in our custody.”
The Comptroller added the injured staff were taken to the hospital for medication and observation, while the deceased officer had been buried.
According to him, the abandoned motorcycles and mobile phone will be handed over to the police for further investigation and action.
Abba, however, said three of his officers escaped the attack unhurt.
He said: “I must commend the officers for their gallantry in repelling the attackers that made them to take to thier heels and abandoned their motorcycles and phone.
“This shows that the NIS is willing and ever ready to defend the nation and will not relent in the fight against crimes in the state.”
He said the suspects were believed to have come from neighbouring Niger Republic.
He said: “Its just a 2km distance between the scene of the incident and a village in Niger.
“Also, from the time we recovered the bandits’ abandoned phone, we received about 10 calls, most of which are Niger numbers.”
The immigration chief, therefore, urged residents of the state to avail the command with prompt and vital information of suspicious persons in their communities.