Police in Gombe calls for calm as gunmen kill three Policemen; promises hitchfree yuletide

Police in Gombe have called on residents to remain calm despite the heavy casualty it sustained during a gun battle with unknown gunmen where three of its officers were killed at the residence of an Arab construction firm, Triacta Construction Company over the weekend.

The town has been in tension since Saturday night when reports flew all over the town that gunmen had forced themselves into an estate occupied by the Company’s staff killing three police men and the generator man of the estate. The Arabs were said to be out of the country when the incident occurred.

According to a source, the heavily armed men numbering about ten with their AK 47 rifles, forced their way into the estate between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm last Saturday, shooting sporadically and also killing the generator man of the estate.

However, in an exchange of fire with the Police men on duty, three of the Policemen lost their lives while the gunmen were said to have escaped with bullet wounds.

Confirming the incident to newsmen Monday evening, the Gombe State Police Command’s Spokesman, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, stated that the surprise attack lasted for about 35 minutes with the Police exchanging fire with the assailants.

When pressed for more details, Mr. Atajiri declined further comments in order not to pre-empt Police investigations but disclosed that they have gone far in their investigations.

He called for calm among the residents following the panic it has created in the town and assured that the Police will ensure a hitch free Christmas celebration in Gombe State.

He also called on the people to place high premium on their security by putting their ears to the ground, keeping their eyes wide open and reporting to the Police any suspicious activities around them.