Bandits kill three policemen, vigilante leader in Taraba

2026-03-19 - 18:34

By Femi Bolaji Jalingo – Rampaging bandits have killed three police officers and the leader of a vigilante group in Tse Kwe village, Donga Local Government Area, Taraba State. According to ASP Victor Mshelizah, spokesperson for the State Police Command, the officers were ambushed while responding to a distress call. He said: “Upon receipt of the information, a team of police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Donga, alongside operatives of the Special Force, was immediately mobilized and deployed to the scene to restore order and protect residents. On arrival, the suspected armed bandits opened fire, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire. The police operatives responded swiftly and repelled the attackers. Regrettably, CPL Raphael Danjuma and PC Ebenezer Daniel sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the encounter. Another officer, PC Samuel Bawa, was initially reported missing but was later found dead in a nearby bush. The body of Nutsa Tyav, 60, Chairman of the Vigilante Group in Tordamisa Village, was also recovered following the attack.” ASP Mshelizah added that the State Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officers and the vigilante leader. He noted that security operations in the area have been intensified, with ongoing efforts to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.