How four IGP’s men were mowed down by suspected herdsmen

Juliana Francis

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command were on Saturday night, plunged into mourning following the murder of four of their colleagues.

According to police sources, the four policemen were mowed down in Kaduna State by suspected herdsmen. The policemen were alleged to have been ambushed.

The four men were with the Lagos SARS before they were drafted to join the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr Abba Kyari.

The four policemen, identified as Inspector Bernard Odibo, AP/No 148333, Inspector Mamman Abubakar, AP/No 181539, Inspector Haruna Ibrahim AP/No 192938 and Sergeant Emmanuel Istifanus F/No.267815.

Our correspondent further gathered that Kyari, since the news of the death of men broke, had been grieving, refusing to take calls.

Kyari’s grieved was further fueled by the fact that he had lost at least seven men within two weeks. Aside from the four men that were killed on Saturday, two were alleged to have been shot by some suspects when they were out on investigation and another died in accident.

Sources said that Kyari often used to break down and weep whenever he loses any of his men.

One the men, Odibo, was said to have moved to Kaduna State to join IRT barely two weeks ago.

A source said: “These men were only recently posted to IRT. When they reported, they were welcomed by the Commissioner of Police. One of them Odibo, was with Ogun State SARS, before was to transfer to IRT.”

In a press release made available to journalists, Kyari said that the four men died in the line of duty.

He said: “Sequel to the kidnapping of Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna State on August 2, and his subsequent release after ransom was paid. In follow up to the case on August 11, IRT operatives arrested two of the kidnappers in a remote settlement inside Rigasa Forrest, Kaduna State. As the team were coming out of the bush with the arrested kidnappers, other gang-members, hiding inside the bush ambushed the IRT team and opened fire, leading to the death of four of the operatives; AP/No. 148333 Inspt. Benard Odibo, AP/No. 181539,  Inspt Mamman Abubakar, AP/No. 192938,  Inspt Haruna Ibrahim and F/No. 267815 Sgt. Emmanuel Istifanus. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at Saint Gerald Hospital Mortuary Kaduna State for Autopsy. Efforts are in progress to get the killers and bring to justice.”