Police officer, vigilante killed by suspected bandits after warning letter

Tension has gripped the Zhibi community, a settlement bordering Dei-Dei in Abuja but located within Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, following a deadly attack by suspected bandits that claimed the lives of a police officer and a local vigilante member.

The victims, identified as Inspector Joshua John, of the 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Dei-Dei, and Joshua Garba, a well-known vigilante in the area, were reportedly shot dead during the ambush.

According to local sources, the brazen attack came just days after the assailants allegedly issued a chilling warning letter to one of the victims—raising serious concerns about escalating insecurity and targeted violence in the region.

According to residents, the officer had recently moved into the community with his family after building a house, having previously resided at the nearby Police Mobile (Mopol) Barracks.

“He used to volunteer himself for night patrol whenever he was around, leading the vigilante members of the community,” a resident shared.

Locals said the officer’s commitment to community safety may have made him a target. His house had earlier come under attack, which he successfully repelled. Two days later, a letter was left behind, warning him about his continued involvement in night patrols and threatening further violence.

“His house was once attacked and he repelled the attackers, only for them to drop a letter for him two days later, warning him about his participation in the night patrol, with a threat of returning back at any time,” the resident recounted.

Security sources confirmed that the assailants arrived in the area last week around 9 p.m., using a Sienna vehicle which they parked in a secluded spot. Members of the vigilante group noticed the suspicious vehicle and alerted Inspector John.

“On getting to the scene, he asked the people in the vehicle to come out and identify themselves. One of them, who seemed to be their driver, came out immediately and shot the police officer,” a source said.

John died on the spot, while Garba, who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, passed away the next day at Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja.

The police inspector, originally from Borno State, was buried at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja. The vigilante member is scheduled to be buried in his home state of Nasarawa.

Meanwhile, security operatives tracked and arrested the suspected killers near Gwantu community, along the Keffi–Jos highway in Kaduna State. Among the items recovered were the slain officer’s service weapon and a large sum of money believed to be ransom.

(DAILY TRUST)