Three policemen and five members of the Kogi State Vigilanté Service were on Saturday ambushed and killed by suspected bandits in Jidda Bassa community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
Commodore Jerry Omodara (Retd), the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security told journalists that the tragedy occurred on Saturday while the men were on their way to attend to distress calls by residents.
According to him, residents had noticed some strange movements in the community and they promptly reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who dispatched the security personnel to the area.
Omodara added that the bandits were aware of the security men movement, laid ambush and killed eight of them.
He said the corpses of the security personel had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
The former air force general vowed that the state government will do all within its power to get the gunmen arrested and make them to face justice.
According to him, government would take proactive steps to immediately bring the security situation in Jidda Bassa under control.
He explained that the state government was doing its best to curb criminal activities in all parts of the state.
He warned that any attempt by hoodlums to make the state unsafe would be summarily dealt with .
The Special Adviser expressed sympathy with the families, relations and friends of the deceased security personnel and urged the people of the community to remain calm but be extra vigilant.
