Two officers of the Katsina State Police Command lost their lives in a gun duel with bandits on Thursday.

ASP Yakubu Joshua, attached to 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Katsina and Sgt Zaharadeen Yuguda attached to Safana Division were killed by the hoodlums in a crossfire at their hideout at Baure village in Safana Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, disclosed this on Friday while briefing pressmen at the police headquarters.

However, CP Buba said the police team led by the Dutsima Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP, Aminu Umar were able to dislodge the hoodlums, killing two of them in the process and recovered one AK-47 rifle with 35 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition among other items.

Buba said: “On 18/11/2021 at about 1700hrs, based on credible intelligence, Area Commander, Dutsinma, ACP Aminu Umar, led a combined team of policemen and vigilante to Bandits’ hideout at Baure village, Safana LGA of Katsina state and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.

“The team succeeded in dislodging the bandits, killed two notorious bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle with thirty-five (35) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition of AK 47 rifle.

“In the course of scanning the scene, two unregistered motorcycles Kasea and Boxer, vest of charms were recovered.

Sadly, two gallant police officers – AP.NO.151332 Asp Yakubu Joshua, attached to 27 Police Mobile Force, (PMF), Katsina and F/NO.264575 Sgt Zaharadeen Yuguda attached to Safana Division, paid the supreme price and died in a crossfire.”

He urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by giving them credible information on bandits and their collaborators.

He further assured members of the public that the police remain “resolute and committed in the ongoing fight against recalcitrant bandits until they are arrested and dealt with in accordance with extant laws of the land