The police have announced the death of a policeman in a shootout with armed persons who attacked an Abuja community in the early hours of Thursday.

Abuja police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement that two of the gunmen were shot dead by the Police during the encounter.

According to her, about 30 gunmen invaded Guto community in Bwari Area Council with the intent to kidnap a resident and his family.

“Bwari Division’s Surveillance Team, in conjunction with the IGP Special Intervention Squad (SIS), mobilised to the scene.”

“Upon sighting the police team, the attackers opened fire. The officers responded with superior firepower, engaging the attackers in a heated gun duel,” she said.

Adeh said two of the attackers were killed in a gunfight “while the remainder fled into the surrounding bushes and mountains for safety.”

“Tragically, one police officer sustained a fatal gunshot injury during the exchange and was rushed to Bwari General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. The Command deeply regrets this loss, as the officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty.”

The latest incident in Abuja adds to the increased cases of attacks by armed persons in states like Borno, Kebbi, Kwara and Katsina, leading to the killing and kidnapping of many people.

Different groups with different motives carry out the attacks, but the attacks have put pressure on the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu on Wednesday postponed trip to South Africa and Angola foreign trips due to the security situation in the country, especially the killing of a brigadier general and four security operatives in Borno and the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi.