Upon getting the information, the DPO mobilized his men and some local vigilantes to repel the bandits but unfortunately lost his life in the gunfight.

SP Kazeem Raheem, a Divisional Police Officer, in Maru town, headquarters of Maru local government area of Zamfara state has been killed by bandits during a gun duel.

Raheem was killed alongside a vigilante identified as Shehu Chuka and a police sergeant, Rabiu Bagobiri, said to be an orderly to a former chairman of Maru LGA.

A resident, who craved anonymity, told Daily Trust that the bandits had invaded the town on Saturday night, March 4, 2023, to kidnap a businessman identified as Alhaji Iliyasu.

The gunmen had earlier abducted his brother who was reportedly freed after ransom was paid. They came again to kidnap him but he managed to escape, while they took his wife.

Upon getting the information, the DPO mobilized his men and some local vigilantes to repel the bandits but unfortunately lost his life in the gunfight.

“It was a terrible experience. I woke up at the sound of heavy gunfire around 2am. Maru town has been under constant attack by these criminals, several people were kidnapped in the past one year.” the source said.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the incident to Channels Television, said police authorities are currently in Maru for an on-the-spot assessment.

“We are currently in Maru, I will get back to you when we return to Gusau,” he added.

Meanwhile, another source from the local government said that an unspecified number of residents were also abducted in the attack.