About five police officers have been killed in an ambush by suspected herders in the Papa Ward of Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The state police spokesperson, Ahmed Wakili, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Sunday, said the incident happened on Saturday, adding that two other officers were injured in the attack.

“It’s confirmed that our officers and men on routine patrol in Papa Ward of Darazo Local Government Area were ambushed by some herders,” Mr Wakili stated.

“There were casualties during a dual exchange of gunfire between our operatives and the herders. Some of our officers have paid the supreme price.”

According to the police, the cops killed in the attack include Ahmad Muhammad, Mustapha Muhammad, Inspector Amarhel Yunusa, Inspector Idris Ahmed, Corporal Isah Muazu.

Noting the injured police officers were Inspector Isah Musa and Inspector Yusuf Gambo, Mr Wakili said the state commissioner of police visit the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

The incident came amid a wave of abductions and killings in Kwara, Kebbi, Borno and Niger states, drawing widespread criticism from Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Sunday, announced that 38 worshippers kidnapped at the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Ekiti LGA of the state, had regained freedom.

Fifty-one pupils out of the 315 abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, had also escaped, with President Bola Tinubu vowing to protect Nigerians and apprehend the assailants.