From Abel Leonard, Lafia
A late-night ambush on police personnel along the Kadarko–Makurdi Road in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was repelled on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
The incident occurred around 10:55 p.m. near the Nasarawa–Benue border, when suspected armed gunmen emerged from the Benue forest axis and opened fire on police officers conducting routine night pin-down operations.
According to the Nasarawa State Police Command, the operatives displayed “gallantry and tactical superiority” during the attack, engaging the assailants in a gun duel and forcing them to retreat into the nearby forest with suspected gunshot wounds.
Confirming the incident in a press release issued yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, said, “The operatives successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot injuries.”
However, the Command noted that one officer, Inspector Sunday Apochie, sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight. “A reinforcement team from Kadarko Division swiftly responded, rescued the injured officer, and recovered his service AK-47 rifle from the scene,” the statement read.
Tragically, a civilian who resided near the location of the gun battle was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by the gunmen and died on the spot.
The injured officer was initially taken to the Primary Health Care Centre in Kadarko for first aid and later referred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia, where he is reportedly responding well to treatment.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, commiserated with the family of the deceased civilian and assured the public that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
“Let me assure the good people of Nasarawa State that we will not rest until those behind this cowardly act are apprehended and prosecuted. We are doing everything possible to prevent a recurrence,” CP Mohammed stated during a visit to the injured officer in the hospital.
Meanwhile, a combined team of security operatives has launched a manhunt to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The police appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activities or persons with gunshot wounds to the nearest police formation.
Picture of the police officer that was shot. Sunday Opochie
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