Nasarawa: Police foil gunmen ambush near Benue border, one officer injured, civilian killed

A swift and courageous response by officers of the Nasarawa State Police Command on Tuesday night, July 9, 2025, prevented what could have been a deadly ambush on security forces along the volatile Kadarko–Makurdi Road near the Benue border.
The police operatives, stationed for routine pin-down duty around 10:55 p.m., came under heavy gunfire from suspected armed assailants believed to have emerged from the forested Benue axis.
According to the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Ramhan Nansel, the attackers launched a sudden and cowardly ambush, attempting to overwhelm the officers stationed in Keana Local Government Area.
But the officers, showing tactical precision and bravery, fought back in what he described as a “fierce gun duel,” forcing the attackers to retreat into the dense forest.
Nansel added that some of the suspects escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Displaying gallantry and tactical superiority, the police operatives engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the criminals to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds,” said Nansel.
The Police boss stated further: “unfortunately, in the heat of the exchange, Inspector Sunday Apochie sustained gunshot injuries and had to be rescued by a rapid reinforcement team from the Kadarko Division.
“His service AK-47 rifle, briefly lost during the chaos, was recovered from the scene. The injured officer was first stabilized at the Kadarko Primary Health Care Centre before being transferred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia, where he is currently responding well to treatment.”
Nansel added that tragically, the incident also claimed the life of a civilian who lived close to the ambush site. He was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by the fleeing gunmen.
The spokesperson stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, who visited the injured officer in the hospital, extended his condolences to the bereaved family and vowed justice.
He assured residents that a full-scale manhunt is underway to track down the suspects.
“All necessary measures are being put in place to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and forestall future occurrence,” the CP said.
He also urged residents in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements, as the command ramps up patrol and intelligence operations along the border corridor.
Nasarawa: Police foil gunmen ambush near Benue border, one officer injured, civilian killed