The Adamawa police command says one of its officers has been killed during an attempt to arrest a wanted criminal in the state.

Suleiman Nguroje, spokesman of the state police command, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

He said the police officer, identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, an assistant superintendent of police, was attacked in Lafiya in Lamurde LGA of the state.

Nguroje said the deceased policeman was attacked alongside other officers by over 60 armed hoodlums.

He said three other officers sustained injuries from the attack.

“On April 24, between the hours of 12 midnight and 1 a.m., the command’s operatives attached to Numan Division were in Lafiya to effect arrest in a case of criminal conspiracy and theft,” the statement reads.

“Hoodlums numbering about 60 armed with dangerous weapons attacked the policemen while trying to effect arrest of the wanted criminal.

“Following the attack, one officer, an ASP Ibrahim Abdullahi, paid the supreme price while three others sustained various injuries.”

Nguroje said Aliyu Alhaji, the Adamawa commissioner of police (CP), has commiserated with the family of the deceased officer, adding that investigation has commenced into the incident.

He warned that consequences await any person or group of persons who, under whatever guise, engage in an unwarranted attack on any police officer.

The spokesman added that the CP had directed all divisional police officers, heads of department, and operational commanders to employ all legally permissible measures to protect their lives and property.

“The police command calls on members of the public to desist forthwith from attacking policemen and police facilities,” he said.

“The command equally calls on members of the public to report anyone doing such to the nearest police stations or via these emergency numbers: 08089671313, 08107364974 and 09053872326.”