Bandits Ambush Police Patrol, Kill Four, Seriously Injure Two

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Four Police Officers were reportedly killed in Funtua area of  Katsina State  on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 following an attack by  banditry elements.

The attack which was launched at about 12 :45 pm also led to two other  officers sustaining serious injuries.

According to witness accounts, the suspected terrorists ambushed and opened fire on a police  van carrying the personnel from 27 Police Mobile Force PMF ,who where  on a routine patrol duty.

While Abubakar Abdullahi ASP,  Umar Ahmed, an Inspector, Sergeant Kailani and another officer lost their lives, two others- Corporals Daniel Japet and Abdulaziz Sani sustained gunshot injuries.

While confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, informed that the police officers were taken unawares, with the terrorists opening fire suddenly.

The suspected terrorists  reportedly demobilized the police patrol van, forced it off the road, before capturing the affected officers.

A Police source said the victims were shot at close range by their captors, who later fled with the dead officers official rifles , including an AK-47 with about 30 rounds of ammunition ,a Tokarev pistol loaded with eight rounds and a long-range rifle.

Aliyu  further informed that security has been enhanced for the purpose of securing the affected area ,as well as tracking down the perpetrators.

This is as he explained that the corpses of the victims have been  deposited at the mortuary of General Hospital in Funtua ,for autopsy , while the injured are currently receiving medical attention.

The Source further reports that the attack is coming amidst intense controversy surrounding the planned release from detention of  no fewer than 70 suspected terrorist elements by the Katsina state authorities.