Armed men, suspected to be Fulani Bandits have killed three policemen and two civilian members of a Vigilante group in Tor Damisa Akate Ward in Donga Local government Area of Taraba state.
According to sources in the area, the five men were killed in an ambush shortly after they were dropped in the Village by the Divisional police officer of the local government, following a distress call that bandits had laid siege to the community.
It was learnt that after killing the policemen, the bandits who were said to be well armed, went away with the service rifles of the policemen.
The Acting Police Public Relations Officer for Taraba state, Victor Mshelizah, an Assistant Superintendent of police who confirmed the incident to whitewatersdigest.com said the DPO did not drop the officers and left as being speculated because it was a joint operation between the police and the other security agencies.
A statement he later sent confirming the incidence read:
The Taraba State Police Command regrets to inform the general public of a tragic security incident that occurred on the 18/03/2026 following a distress report received from Zaki Orbanga, a resident of Tor Damisa Akate Ward in donga LGA, who reported that armed men suspected to be bandits had attacked Tse Kwe Village.
Upon receipt of the information, a team of police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Donga, alongside operatives of the Special Force, was immediately mobilized and deployed to the scene to restore order and protect residents.
On arrival at the location, the suspected armed bandits opened fire on the police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire. The police operatives responded swiftly and repelled the attackers.
Regrettably, during the encounter, CPL Raphael Danjuma and PC Ebenezer Daniel sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the line of duty which lead to their demise. Another officer, PC Samuel Bawa, was initially reported missing during the operation. A search party was subsequently organized, and his body was later recovered in a nearby bush.
Additionally, the corpse of Nutsa Tyav, a 60-year-old Chairman of the Vigilante Group in Tor Damisa Village, was also recovered following the attack.
The Commissioner of Police, CP BETTY ENEKPEN ISOKPAN OTIMENYIN psc minps, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the brave officers and the vigilante member who paid the supreme price while protecting the state and Nation at large. The Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assures them that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Meanwhile, security operations have been intensified in the area as efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack.
The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will assist in bringing the culprits to justice.
Further updates will be communicated as the situation develops.