Bandits Kill Immigration Officer In Jigawa

By Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse

A mid night attack by suspected bandits from Niger Republic on the patrol base of the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) in Jigawa state has resulted in the death of an immigration personnel, with two others sustaining serious injury.

The attack, which occurred at exactly 11:20 pm on Tuesday at the Galadi-Birniwa, a border village in Birniwa local government, northeast Jigawa has raised tension in the area, following the upsurge of criminal activities, which are largely blamed on

Confirming the attack on the patrol base on Wednesday in Dutse, the state Comptroller of the immigration, Ismail Abba Aliyu told reporters that the bandits, who drove on two motorcycles took his men, who were on routine patrol by surprise.

He said, the bandits arrived at the patrol base with one carrying three passengers while the other was carrying two passengers. “Immediately, upon arrival, they opened fire on the immigration staff on patrol, which resulted in the death of one of the staff and another two of the team sustained serious bullet wound.

He confirmed that apart from the three personnel, three other officers who were on the patrol in team managed to escape and took shelter on a nearby tree till early morning Wednesday.

“As result of heavy exchange of fire, the bandits fled into the bush and abandoned their motorcycles and a handset (Techno T5) belonging to the bandits were recovered and handed over to the state police command for further investigation.”

Aliyu, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration confirmed that the bandits were citizens of the Niger Republic, describing the village as the route being frequently used by bandits in the recent past.

According to him, “I cannot confirm to you that the attackers were from Niger Republic because the village is less than two kilometers to Niger Republic and over 70 kilometers from Maigatari town in Jigawa state.

Despite the temporary setback the immigration chief reiterated the commitment of the service to continue to defend the territorial integrity of the country and urged Jigawa residents to be assured of their protection and cooperate with the immigration at all times as it strives to serve the people.