BEVERLY HILLS, June 20, (THEWILL) – Two policemen were killed with at least 57 others missing when suspected Boko Haram insurgents ambushed their convoy in the Damboa area of Borno state, on Tuesday.
According to reports, men from the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), deployed to rescue the officers, were not able to rescue all the ambushed officers.
THEWILL gathered that the convoy was conveying a corpse of a policewoman to Adamawa state when the attackers struck.
“Some private and commercial vehicles which were heading to Biu, Adamawa, Hawul and Gwoza when the incident happened,” a policeman who witnessed the incident said.
“People abandoned the vehicles and took to their heels.
“The bus conveying our female colleague for burial was riddled with bullets, because it was in front.
“So far, only two people died but we are yet to ascertain whether others were killed or got trapped. SARS was deployed and the truck conveying the officers has been recovered.”
However, Commissioner of police in the state, Damian Chukwu, said only one policeman was killed in the incident while six others sustained injuries during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects
“Some of our policemen who were heading to Adamawa for the burial of one of our own female officer police were attacked. Unfortunately, we lost an officer,” he said.
“Fifty-seven officers who ran into the bush for their safety are safe and right here with us in the command. They will continue with their trip to Askira Uba tomorrow.”
