Two policemen escorting immunization officials were shot dead today by gunmen at Kofar Dawanau area of Kano metropolis.

The attack took place shortly before 1pm, when the officers were taking drinks at a shop in the area. Three civilians, including a woman, were said to be injured in the attack.

Eyewitness said two gunmen riding a motorcycle attacked the policemen, before escaping into the neighbourhood.

Daily Trust gathered that about six policemen were accompanying a team of vaccinators administering polio vaccines when the incident happened. It was not, however, clear if the wounded were part of the polio campaign team.

“Two of the policemen had gone to a nearby canteen for refreshment, when the attackers came on a bike and shot them,” said an eyewitness.

“But the remaining policemen took to their heels, even though they were armed,” he added.

A police source told our correspondent that the assailants also took away guns belonging to their victims. One of the policemen was fatally shot in the head, it was learnt.

The killing, which was the first in days, caused fear among residents of possible reprisal attacks by law enforcement agents, thereby forcing people to desert the area.

Our correspondent reports that security had been stepped up in the state following the fresh attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killing, at the time of filing the report.

However, the Boko Haram sect had in the past took responsibilities for attacks on security agents.

Meanwhile, the state police commissioner, Ibrahim K. Idris, confirmed the attack, saying however that areas surrounding the scene had been cordoned off for possible arrest of the gunmen.

Source