A police inspector and an Air Force corporal were killed in a pre-dawn ambush along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida road in Riyom LGA, Plateau State, with their weapons stolen.
Jos — August 4, 2026
A police inspector and a Nigerian Air Force corporal have been killed in a pre-dawn ambush on a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, according to multiple security sources.
The attack occurred at around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday after four security personnel, drawn from two guard locations, mounted a snap checkpoint along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida road. Sources say that as the team made its way back to their respective duty posts, two of the officers failed to return, prompting colleagues to launch an immediate search-and-clearance operation in the area.
During the operation, security forces recovered the bodies of Inspector John Zakaria of the Nigeria Police Force and Lance Corporal Mohammed Musa of the Nigerian Air Force. Their service weapons had been taken by the attackers, while a motorcycle belonging to the patrol was recovered at the scene.
Security forces have since launched cordon-and-search operations around nearby communities in an effort to track down the assailants and recover the stolen weapons. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity or affiliation of those responsible, and investigations into the attack remain ongoing.
The incident adds to a string of recent security breaches in Riyom LGA, an area that has repeatedly recorded deadly attacks in recent months despite sustained security operations aimed at restoring calm across Plateau State.
Officials say further details are expected as clearance operations progress, and no arrests have been announced at this time.
This report reflects preliminary information from security sources; details may be updated as the investigation develops.
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