A routine security patrol in Nasarawa State ended in bloodshed yesterday evening after armed attackers struck a joint team of police officers and local vigilantes, killing three people and escaping with a service rifle.
Security sources disclosed that the victims included a police inspector and two civilians who were moving along a rural route during an evening patrol.
The attack, described as sudden and coordinated, threw the community into panic and forced nearby residents indoors.
Those familiar with the operation said the patrol was part of Operation Restore Peace, a security initiative aimed at curbing violent crime in the area.
The team was reportedly led by Inspector Jampi Mbursa, who was fatally shot during the encounter.
Two residents of Ajimaka village, identified as Julius Igbogh and Raphael Julius, were also hit by gunfire during the ambush.
A community source said the civilians were caught in the violence as the assailants opened fire without warning.
All three victims were rushed to a nearby medical facility.
However, hospital officials later confirmed that they were pronounced dead on arrival, after which their bodies were deposited at the morgue.
Moreover, the attackers reportedly fled with the inspector’s AK-47 rifle, fully loaded with ammunition, raising concerns among residents about the potential for further violence.
A senior security officer described the theft as “a serious threat that must be neutralised quickly.”
Police authorities said efforts are underway to track down the gunmen and recover the stolen firearm.
According to an officer involved in the response, “We have launched a manhunt and intensified patrols across surrounding communities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Doma Local Government Area, as residents call for increased security presence and stronger protection for patrol teams operating in vulnerable rural corridors.