The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has delivered essential relief materials to the bereaved families of five police officers killed during a violent encounter with bandits in Bauchi State. The commission also extended the same support to officers who sustained injuries in the line of duty.
Commission Stands with Bereaved Families and Injured Officers
During a distribution ceremony held on Thursday, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Isiyaku, conveyed the commission's deep condolences. He stated that the NEDC stands firmly with the families of the deceased and the injured officers, offering prayers for patience and strength. The tragic incident occurred on November 22, 2025, when bandits ambushed police personnel in Sabon Sara village, located in the Darazo Local Government Area.
The officers who lost their lives in the gun duel were identified as:
- DSP Ahmad Muhammad (SID)
- ASP Mustapha Muhammad (10 PMF)
- Inspector Amarhel Yunusa (10 PMF)
- Inspector Idris Ahmed (10 PMF)
- Corporal Isah Muazu (AKU)
Two other officers, Inspector Isah Musa (SID) and Inspector Yusuf Gambo (SID), survived the attack but sustained varying degrees of injury.
Relief Items to Cushion Hardship
Isiyaku explained that the distribution was carried out on the directive of the NEDC's Executive Management. "We have been directed to deliver food and non-food items to the families of the deceased and to the injured police officers," he said. He emphasized that the donation was a symbol of solidarity and was intended to alleviate the hardship caused by the tragic loss.
"We pray that Allah grants the bereaved families comfort. We also pray that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice," the Coordinator added.
The specific relief items provided were:
- For the families of the deceased officers: 50 bags of rice, 50 cartons of spaghetti, 50 blankets, 50 mats, five cartons of vegetable oil, and 10 bags of sugar.
- For the injured officers: 50 bags of rice, 50 cartons of 5kg spaghetti, 50 blankets, 50 mats, and five cartons of vegetable oil.
Police Command Appreciates Timely Intervention
In his response, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed profound gratitude to the NEDC for its timely support. He noted that most of the slain officers were the primary breadwinners for their families, making the loss even more devastating.
"This support will go a long way in easing their hardship," CP Aliyu stated. He also appealed to the commission for continued assistance, particularly in areas of community support, employment opportunities, and educational aid for the children of the fallen heroes.
The Coordinator used the opportunity to commend the police commissioner for his efforts in maintaining security, describing Bauchi as "one of the most peaceful states in the North-East."
Broader Intervention for Conflict-Affected Communities
Isiyaku further revealed that the relief distribution was part of a larger NEDC intervention program for individuals impacted by the farmer-herder conflict in Darazo and Sade communities. The commission's broader allocation for these areas included:
- 1,000 bags of rice
- 1,000 cartons of spaghetti
- 1,000 blankets
- 1,000 mats
- 500 cartons of vegetable oil
- 1,000 bags of sugar (50kg each)
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Zainab Umar, the wife of late Inspector Amarhel Yunusa, thanked the NEDC for the gesture. She said the items would provide crucial support for their families during a profoundly challenging period and offered prayers for the souls of their departed husbands.
