THE Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 17 police officers following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The attack occurred in the early hours of May 8 at the military training facility where the officers were undergoing specialised operational training.
In a statement sent to News Points Nigeria on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placide, the police disclosed that the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the institution from multiple directions at about 1:15 a.m.
According to the statement, the officers lost their lives while participating in advanced tactical and counter-terrorism training at the facility.
“The officers, who were undergoing specialized operational training at the institution, lost their lives when terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the facility from multiple directions at about 0115hrs,” the statement read.
The police also revealed that several personnel of the Nigerian Army were killed while attempting to repel the attackers during the fierce gun battle.
Reacting to the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the slain officers as courageous and patriotic personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
The statement quoted the IGP as saying the fallen officers demonstrated “exceptional patriotism and commitment to national security” through their participation in advanced counter-terrorism and tactical training programmes.
He extended the condolences of the Nigeria Police Force to the families of the deceased officers, assuring them that the sacrifices of their loved ones would never be forgotten.
As part of efforts to identify with affected personnel and boost morale, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, visited the training institution on behalf of the IGP.
During the visit, Jibrin commiserated with the Commandant of the school, A.C. Enuagu, officers of the Nigerian Army and surviving police personnel undergoing training at the facility.
He also praised the resilience and courage of the surviving officers, urging them to remain committed to completing the training programme in honour of their fallen colleagues.
The police assured Nigerians that security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.
“The Nigeria Police Force salutes the courage, sacrifice, and service of the fallen officers whose dedication to duty will forever remain honoured by the nation,” the statement added.