When bandits attacked the advance team of security guards, protocol officers, and media officers yesterday in preparation for President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sallah visit to his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, a few people lost their lives and two others suffered minor injuries.

Since then, the presidency has called the nefarious deed a sad and unwelcome development.

This is in light of the fact that yesterday, after a bloody gunfight, robbers attacked and killed Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Aminu Umar Dayi, who was in command of the Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina.

In a related development, alleged terrorists attempted to attack the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja Friday night but were repulsed by security personnel, who thwarted their plot.

In a statement issued last night by the president’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the administration revealed that while two people were already receiving medical attention, a few people died as a result of the incident.

The terse statement continued, “However, other people, workers, and vehicles arrived at Daura without incident.”

The shooting incident occurred close to Dutsinma, Katsina State, according to a statement from the president with the title “Gallant Presidential Guards Repel Attack on Advance Team Ahead of President’s Visit.”

“The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.

“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered and few personnel, who lost their lives have been deposited at the hospital. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura,” the statement stated.

A police force was purportedly escorted to Kurfi by the deceased assistant commissioner of police, who was killed yesterday, where they executed one of the bandits’ commanders.

The bandits allegedly gathered in large numbers yesterday and set up an ambush to exact revenge for the murder of one of them after learning that their boss had been killed.

Unfortunately for the late Dutsinma Area Commander, his squad was attacked and defeated by the thugs during their routine operation to clear the area of terrorists, which resulted in his death and the death of another officer.

Many of the hoodlums were killed and captured when the late ACP led the war against bandits on multiple occasions.

However, SP Gambo Isah, a spokesperson for the Katsina Force Command, verified the event.

“Today 06/07/2022 at about 1130hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists numbering over 300, on motorcycles, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), ambushed ACP Aminu Umar, Area Commander, Dutsinma and team, while on clearance operation of recalcitrant bandits/terrorists, in Zakka forest, Safana LGA of Katsina state. Consequently, the Area Commander and one other gallantly lost their lives during a cross exchange of gun fire.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Idrisu Dabban Dauda, on behalf of the officers and men of the Command, expresses his deep sympathy to the family of the deceased and pray to almighty Allah to repose their souls in Jannatul Firdausi.

“Dabban reaffirms the Nigeria Police Force commitment on the ongoing onslaught against terrorism in the state until it is completely routed out, please.”

According to sources and locals in the area, the gunmen attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre at around 10 p.m. with heavy gunfire, but security personnel were able to repel the attack.

The sources also revealed that the facility was the target of shootings that lasted for more than an hour as the terrorists allegedly tried to break in using bombs and other weapons.

However, no official statement has been released on the development as of the time of publication.