Gunmen have killed a police inspector and a Nigerian Air Force corporal in an ambush on a joint security patrol in Plateau State, making away with the service rifles of the slain personnel.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida Road in Riyom Local Government Area, has prompted a major security operation as authorities intensify efforts to track down the attackers and recover the stolen weapons.
As gathered, the victims were part of a joint security team that had mounted a snap checkpoint in the area before heading back to their respective duty posts.
According to a security source familiar with the incident, alarm was raised when two members of the patrol failed to return as scheduled, prompting an immediate search operation by troops and other security personnel deployed in the area.
The search team later discovered the bodies of a Nigeria Police Force inspector and a Nigerian Air Force lance corporal.
Their motorcycle was recovered at the scene, but their service rifles had been taken by the assailants.
“This was a targeted ambush on personnel carrying out legitimate security duties,” the source said. “Search-and-clear operations are already underway to identify and arrest those behind the attack.”
Preliminary intelligence indicated that the ambush occurred near a location previously occupied by Fulani herders, who were reportedly said to have moved away with their cattle before reinforcement teams arrived. The area is also located close to a Berom community.
Following the attack, security agencies launched cordon-and-search operations across neighbouring communities, while additional personnel were deployed to reinforce the ongoing manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
The source said investigations were ongoing and assured that every effort was being made to recover the stolen firearms and bring those responsible to justice.
“The operation is continuing, and more information will be released as investigations progress,” the source added.