In a tragic incident on Tuesday evening, two police officers were killed during a gunfight in the Little Rayfield area of Jos, Plateau State. The officers, who were members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, were ambushed by suspected criminals, believed to be armed robbers or kidnappers.
The incident occurred around 7:30 pm when the police patrol team was carrying out routine duties along the Little Rayfield Road in the Jos South Local Government Area, which is a busy area in the state capital. The officers, Inspectors Fatoye Femi and Dafur Dashit, were tragically killed during the exchange of fire with the gunmen.
The attack has sparked widespread concern about the growing insecurity in the region, as police officers and other security personnel are increasingly targeted by criminals.
According to a situation report (SITREP) seen by SaharaReporters, the officers were attacked by armed gunmen who were likely attempting a robbery or kidnapping. The gunfight between the police and the attackers was intense, but despite the officers’ best efforts, both Inspectors Femi and Dashit lost their lives. The police report mentioned that one of the attackers, identified as Auwal Ali from Angwang Doki Bukuru, was captured during the attack.
The report further indicated that the Superintendent of Police (SUPOL) in charge of ‘B’ Division Bukuru had quickly mobilised a team to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence. The police also confirmed that they had secured photographs of the arrested suspect and his car, which were included in the report.
Both officers had been part of the Intelligence Response Team, a special unit of the Nigeria Police Force that tackles high-profile criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism. Their tragic deaths have left a void within the police force and the communities they served.
Just over a year ago, in February 2024, at least four police officers were killed in a gunfight with suspected Islamist insurgents in Borno State. The attack, which was part of ongoing tensions with Boko Haram and other extremist groups, demonstrated the vulnerability of police officers in certain areas of Nigeria. Similarly, in August 2022, gunmen launched an attack on a security checkpoint in Riyom, Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of two officers.
