Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police condemns attack and orders an immediate and thorough crackdown on the perpetrators, saying: ‘Any cop killers will not go unpunished’. 

Two officers have been killed in an attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Gajiram town, in the Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast.

Insurgents arrived in the town on motorbikes in the early hours of Thursday, January 9.

Police officers were not certain if the insurgents were members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, or the Islamic State West Africa Province, saying it was difficult to differentiate.

A fierce gun battle ensued. Two police officers were killed when two hand grenades detonated in a shelter tent behind the division. One officer was severely wounded.

The insurgents were eventually overpowered and repelled.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Nahum Kenneth Daso, the command’s public relations officer, said in a statement released on Thursday: “On 9th January 2025 at about 12:10 am, unknown gunmen suspected of being Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade the Nganzai Police Division. Gallant officers who were on watch repelled the terrorists after a series of exchanges of gunfire.

“The terrorists threw hand grenades which unfortunately landed on a shelter tent behind the division and fatally wounded two officers, Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapapha Huzaifat who both died on the scene.”

He said police officers responded and repelled the attack after fierce gun battles.

Daso said two grenades were seized by police officers.

Yusufu Mohammed Lawal, Borno’s commissioner of police, who visited the scene, commended the officers for their resilience. He sent condolences to the families of the two officers who lost their lives.

“The command remains dedicated and committed to ensuring safety and security for all and calls for calm as normalcy has been restored,” he said.

Mohammed Aisatami, a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) member in Nganzai, told RNI that the attackers came on two motorbikes, two on each bike.

“The attackers opened fire wildly on the police division. The police were taken by surprise, so were unable to respond promptly. Two police officers died when a hand grenade was thrown at them.

“We were at a checkpoint nearby the police station when we heard the gunshots. We rushed to the scene but when we arrived, we saw the two dead bodies of the police officers. The attackers had already left.”

Aisatami said Gajiram was calm. “But on Thursday people were scared and most of them stayed indoors.”

Nigeria’s Inspector-General Of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the attack and ordered an immediate and thorough crackdown on the perpetrators.

“Any cop killers will not go unpunished,” he said.

He expressed “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the deceased officers, assuring them that their sacrifice would not be in vain.

“Their sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten,” he said.

Egbetokun assured the families that the benefits and entitlements of the fallen officers would be paid immediately.

A statement released on Friday by Olumiyiwa Adejobi, the force public relations officer, said: “The IGP has directed the Zone 15 Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, to mobilise adequate resources and personnel and collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the perpetrators of this nefarious act are found and caused to face the full wrath of the law.

“As investigations continue, the IGP reaffirms the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to holding accountable those who jeopardise and disrupt the security arrangements and safety in Nigeria.”

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLIMI