The Taraba State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of three police officers in Donga Local Government Area, as efforts continue to tackle insecurity in parts of the state.
The command made this known in a statement issued on Saturday in Jalingo by its spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah. According to the statement, the suspects were arrested after investigations into the deadly attack on police officers at Tse Kwe Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Suleman Abdullahi, 30, and Idris Kauri, 33, are both from Akete Village in the same local government area. Police said they were linked to the ambush in which three officers lost their lives while on duty.
The incident, which shocked residents and security agencies, involved suspected militia members who attacked the officers and made away with their service rifles. Such attacks on security personnel have raised concerns about the growing boldness of armed groups in some parts of the country.
However, the police confirmed that the stolen rifles have now been recovered. The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court once investigations are completed.
“The Command has successfully tracked and arrested some of the suspects involved in the attack. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices who are still at large,” the statement said.
Security challenges in Taraba State have been a concern for several years, especially in areas like Donga Local Government Area and Takum Local Government Area. These areas have witnessed clashes involving local militias, communal conflicts, and criminal activities that have affected both residents and security personnel.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Morkwap Dongshal, visited the scene of the attack. His visit was part of an on-the-spot assessment aimed at understanding the situation and strengthening security measures in the affected communities.
Police authorities said that since assuming duty, the commissioner has stepped up efforts to improve security across the state. This includes increasing police presence in major towns and along highways, a strategy known as visibility policing. The aim is to deter criminal activities and reassure residents of their safety.
Dongshal has also carried out security assessments in areas identified as volatile. These include communities in Donga and Takum, where tensions have occasionally led to violence. By visiting these areas, the police leadership hopes to better understand the root causes of the conflicts and find ways to address them.
During a visit to Takum, the commissioner met with traditional rulers, community elders, youth leaders, and other stakeholders in communities such as Kofai Ahmadu and Chanchanji. These meetings were aimed at building trust between the police and the people, as well as improving the flow of information that can help prevent crime.
Community engagement is seen as an important part of modern policing. By working closely with local leaders, security agencies can gather useful intelligence and respond more quickly to threats. In many parts of Nigeria, such collaboration has helped reduce crime and improve safety.
The police said the meetings were also meant to encourage residents to support security efforts by sharing timely information. In areas facing security challenges, residents often play a key role in identifying suspicious activities and reporting them to authorities.
In a separate operation, police operatives attached to the Zing Divisional Police Headquarters recorded another breakthrough. During a stop-and-search operation at Yonko, officers intercepted two suspects found with a large quantity of ammunition.
The suspects, Torme Terzugwe, 39, from Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, and Job David, 35, from Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State, were arrested while travelling on an unregistered motorcycle.
According to the police, the suspects were on their way to Ganye Local Government Area when they were stopped. A search revealed that they were carrying 304 rounds of live ammunition, raising concerns about their mission and possible links to criminal activities.
Investigations into the case are ongoing, and the police have not ruled out the possibility of connections to wider networks involved in arms movement across state lines.
The interception highlights the importance of routine security checks, especially in regions where illegal arms circulation is a major concern. Security experts have often pointed out that the easy movement of weapons contributes to violence and instability in many communities.
Taraba State, located in Nigeria’s North-East region, shares boundaries with several states and international borders, making it important for security agencies to monitor movements closely. The state’s diverse population and history of communal tensions also make it sensitive to security threats.
The police command has assured residents that it remains committed to restoring peace and order. It emphasised that operations would continue to target criminal elements and prevent further attacks on both civilians and security personnel.
The command also reiterated its commitment to professionalism and respect for human rights in all its operations. This assurance comes at a time when public trust in security agencies is seen as essential for effective policing.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities. The police stressed that timely and accurate information from the public can make a significant difference in preventing crime.
For now, the arrest of the suspects linked to the killing of the three officers offers some relief to the affected communities and the police force. It also sends a message that those responsible for such attacks will be pursued and brought to justice.