This information was provided by SP Sewuese Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in a statement released on Thursday in Makurdi.

Unfortunately, one of the command’s officers, Insp. Terfa Anyiatse, was killed in a battle with the robbers, Anene said.

This brings the total number of attack-related casualties to 13.

According to the PPRO, on March 6, Divisional police officers and tactical commanders received orders from Commissioner of Police (CP) Steve Yabanet to step up efforts to combat criminal activity in the state.

Anene clarified that the command’s assessment of a rise in criminal gang activity served as the impetus for this instruction.

The Operation Zenda Joint Taskforce launched a number of raids across the state in response to these directives.

She stated that on March 19, a deadly gunfight broke out when some agents were traveling to a suspected criminal hideout in Agwabi, Tombo Ward, Buruku LGA, when they were ambushed by the bandits.

“The gang was subdued by the police’s superior firepower in response to the ambush.

Twelve bandits were killed at the end of the crossfire, while others who had been shot were able to flee.

After being brought to a hospital, the bandits were pronounced dead, and their bodies were placed in the hospital mortuary.

Three AK-47 weapons, six rounds of live ammo, camouflage outfits, and several charms were among the items found on them.

Regretfully, Insp. Terfa Anyiatse, a member of the police team, was shot and later declared dead by a medical professional. Additionally, his body has been placed at the morgue,” she stated.