Nigeria – Boubacar Sani

Gunmen attacked a mobile police force (PMF) camp in the Tenebo area of Kayama Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria, killing at least three officers and injuring two others.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, when gunmen surprised security personnel inside the camp.

Attack on a police camp in Nigeria

Local sources reported that the attackers stormed the site in large numbers, some of them riding motorcycles.

One resident, named Mohammed Abdul, said: “They came around 2:00 AM in large numbers and tried to enter the town, but the security forces confronted them, which led to a heavy exchange of fire that lasted for hours.”.

He added: “At the end of the clashes, three officers were killed and two were wounded, then the gunmen withdrew. No kidnappings were recorded, and we do not know if there were any dead or wounded among their ranks.”.

Another resident, Halido Omar, said: “None of us who live near the area were able to sleep all night, and we are still scared, especially since Tenebu is only about 4 kilometers away from Kayama City.”.

He added: “The Tenebo area leads to the national park, which these militants use as a base for their operations. This attack follows a recurring pattern, where they launch their attacks and then retreat into the forests.”.

The state police commissioner, Adekemi Ojo, confirmed the incident during a telephone call with the Daily Trust, saying: “Yes, that’s right, we lost three brave officers in the attack, and two others were injured. The injured are currently receiving treatment, and no suspects have been arrested yet.”.

The region had witnessed a similar incident last month, when gunmen attacked a joint security post in the Kemanji area, adjacent to Tenebo, killing three soldiers and two local guards.

The attackers then seized a military truck, weapons and other equipment, before withdrawing, despite suffering losses of unknown magnitude.

Earlier, gunmen killed five local forest rangers in Noko, a suburb of Kayama, and burned their vehicles and workplaces.