More than seven weeks after three police bomb disposal experts were killed while clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by bandits in Zamfara State, colleagues of the fallen officers say the families of the deceased have received no support from the state government—warning that neglect of frontline personnel could undermine ongoing counter‑insurgency operations in the North‑West.

The officers, all serving under the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) of the Nigeria Police Force, were killed on June 16, 2026, during a high‑risk counter‑IED mission along the Anka–Bagega Road in Anka Local Government Area.

PRNigeria gathered that the victims—Superintendent of Police Abdulrazak Hassan, Commander of the VCRU and head of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team; Inspector Murtala Musa; and Inspector Auwal Ahmad—were among the Force’s most experienced bomb technicians deployed to Zamfara to counter the growing use of explosives by terrorists and bandits.

Security sources said the team had successfully detected and neutralised several IEDs planted along the highway before their Armoured Personnel Carrier struck another concealed device. The blast destroyed the vehicle, and armed bandits reportedly emerged from nearby hideouts, engaged the remaining personnel in a fierce gun battle, set the damaged APC ablaze and fled into the forest.

The incident shocked the Police hierarchy, prompting Inspector‑General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to travel to Gusau, where he attended the funeral prayers of the officers and condoled with their families. He described the men as heroes who paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation, vowing intensified operations against banditry and terrorism.

“There will be no safe haven for criminals,” the IGP declared.

However, officers currently involved in counter‑insurgency operations told PRNigeria that despite the national recognition accorded the deceased, the Zamfara State Government has not provided any support to their families.

Speaking anonymously, they appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal to intervene.

“We have seen how some state governments support families of security personnel who die defending their states. Unfortunately, more than a month after these officers paid the supreme sacrifice, their families are still waiting for any form of intervention from the Zamfara State Government,” one operative said.

The officers noted that the deceased left behind young families with significant responsibilities. SP Hassan is survived by his wife and four children, while Inspectors Musa and Ahmad each left behind two wives and five children.

“They were not ordinary policemen. They were among our finest EOD experts who risked their lives daily to detect and destroy explosives planted on roads used by innocent commuters. Before the incident that claimed their lives, they had successfully neutralised numerous IEDs and saved countless lives,” another officer said.

They warned that inadequate welfare and lack of support for families of fallen personnel could dampen morale among officers undertaking similarly hazardous assignments.

According to them, members of the VCRU continue to risk their lives daily dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing kidnapped victims, recovering rustled cattle and intercepting illegal arms across Zamfara and neighbouring states.

“Many are asking what becomes of their own families if the same thing happens to them,” one source added.

The officers urged the Zamfara State Government to emulate states that have introduced welfare packages and relief programmes for families of security personnel killed in the line of duty, arguing that such interventions would boost morale and strengthen operational effectiveness.

Zamfara Government Yet to Respond

PRNigeria contacted the Zamfara State Government through the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Sulaiman Bala Idris, seeking its response to the concerns raised by the security personnel and clarification on whether any support had been provided to the families of the fallen officers.

As of the time of filing this report, Idris had not responded to the message sent to him and did not answer a subsequent telephone call. (By PRNigeria)

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