Four operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team, have been killed by suspected kidnappers.
New Telegraph gathered from security sources, that the IRT operatives – three Inspectors and a Sergeant – were killed in an ambush at the Rigasa area of Kaduna.
According to the source, the operatives were deployed In a settlement inside Rigama Forest, to fish out suspected kidnappers of Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa town, on August 2.
The operatives, who had apprehended two of the suspects, were on their way out of the location when they were ambushed by other bandits.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, gave the names of the officers killed as:Inspector Benard Odibo (AP/No. 148333), Inspector Mamman Abubakar (AP/No. 181539), Inspector Haruna Ibrahim (AP/No. 192938), and Sergeant Emmanuel Istifanus (F/No. 267815).
“The gallant operatives were deployed sequel to the Kidnapping of Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna State on 2/8/18, and his subsequent release after a ransom was paid.
“On 11/8/18, IRT Operative arrested 2 of the Kidnappers in a Remote Settlement inside Rigasa Forrest kaduna State.
“Unfortunately, as the team were coming out of the bush with the arrested kidnappers, other gang-members hiding inside the bush, ambushed the IRT team and opened fire, which resulted in the death of 4 of them.
“Bodies of the deceased Operatives have been deposited at Saint Gerald Hospital Mortuary Kaduna State for Autopsy, while serious efforts in progress to get the killers to Justice”, the visibly angry source said.
Suspected bandits have continued to unleash terror along the Abuja – Kaduna highway, as well as the Rigasa and Birnin Gwari axis.
About two weeks ago, four persons, including a former commissioner for education, were killed on the Abuja – Kaduna road.
While the IRT has continued to battle the bandits, with hundreds of arrests made, the 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, has also deployed special forces to reinforce patrols within the general area.