The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police on Thursday night lost two officers in a fierce encounter with bandits.

Operatives of the command also killed two bandits in the encounter which took place in a bush near Baure village, Safana Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives were also able to recover one AK 47 rifle and two unregistered motorcycles from the bandits.

The state Police Commissioner, Sanusi Buba, confirmed the incident at a press conference in Katsina on Friday.

He gave the names of the deceased officers as ASP Yakubu Joshua attached to 27 Police Mobile Force, Katsina and Sergeant Zaharadeen Yuguda attached to Safana Division.

The police commissioner explained, “On November 18, based on credible intelligence, Area Commander, Dutsin-ma, ACP Aminu Umar, led a combined team of policemen and vigilante to bandits’ hideout at Baure village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State and engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel.