Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has confirmed the killing of six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), popularly known as Askarawa, and four local vigilantes in an ambush by bandits in Anka Local Government Area on Saturday.
The governor announced the incident in a post on his Facebook page, written in Hausa, explaining that, he had received reports of an ambush by armed bandits on security personnel in Anka Local government.
According to Governor Lawal, the attack followed a successful raid carried out by a joint security force led by the Nigerian Army on a bandit camp in the Sunke forest.
The operation resulted in the elimination of many bandits and the recovery of a large weapons.
However, while the security personnel were returning, they were ambushed by the bandits in Bagega, leading to the deaths of six Askarawa operatives and four vigilante members, who were buried on Sunday morning.
The governor further disclosed that three individuals including two security personnel and one vigilante are still missing.
Following the incident Dr Lawal said, he directed that, urgent medical assistance be provided to the injured and support be given to the families of the deceased.
“On behalf of the Zamfara State Government, I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts the martyrdom of these brave individuals who sacrificed their lives to protect their people,” he said.
Governor Lawal also prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased, strength for their families to bear the loss, and an end to insecurity in Zamfara State, the North, and Nigeria as a whole.
The Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, known as Askarawa, was established by Governor Lawal to support the efforts of other security agencies in tackling insecurity in the state.
AMINU DALHATU.
