Three Policemen and two local vigilantes were allegedly killed by gunmen in an attack in Kwanan Dutse, Mariga local government area of the Niger State on Monday.

The incident occurred during a routine patrol by the Joint Security TaskForce, made up of the police and the local vigilantes at about 4pm in the area

It was learnt that the Joint Security team had earlier on Sunday morning foiled an attack by another group of bandits after about two hours of fire exchange at Bari village, along Tegina-Kontagora road.

A source from the area said no casualty was recorded during the fierce fight between the two sides only for the bandits to return on Monday to block the Kontagora road around Kwanan Dutse.

Unaware of the development the patrol team ran into the ambush and a fire fight ensued.

The source said,” the exchange of gunfire between the bandits and the Joint Security TaskForce resulted in the death of three policemen and two local vigilantes while others sustained various degrees of injury”

“A number of the gunmen were also killed in the gunfight but their bodies were quickly evacuated by their members on motorcycles”.

However, a detachment of police tactical squad and the military have been drafted to the area and are on the trail of the criminals.

The state police command is yet to issue a statement on the attack as of the time of filing this report.

This is coming on the heels of an attack unleashed by armed bandits on some communities in Kontagora and Mashehu local government areas about three days ago.

It would be recalled during the attacks on the councils, three persons lost their lives, 28 were abducted and an unspecified number of cattle were rustled.