A band of dating gunmen have killed three policemen and two vigilante group personnel who were part of the Joint Taskforce in Kwanan Dutse in Mariga Local Government Area of the Niger State.
The attack occurred on Monday evening at about 4:00 p.m. was said to have been an ambush by the gunmen.
An unspecified number of gunmen were also killed in the ambush as the Joint Taskforce, after realising it was an ambush, engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
The gunmen returned on Monday to block the Kontagora Road and the patrol team ran into them which resulted in a fierce gun battle and casualties.
Motorists had to run for safety in the face of the gun battle as messages were sent to various platforms to inform people not to pass through the Kontagora Road during the period of the attack.
Calls made to the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Wasiu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) were not answered but it was learnt that a detachment of police tactical squad and the military have been deployed to the area.