Bawa Ekoja was a police sergeant.

The police in Benue have confirmed the killing of one of its officers, Bawa Ekoja, by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Thursday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the killing in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi. He said the assailants shot Mr. Ekoja, a sergeant, several times in the back while riding his bicycle home after closing from night duty at the police headquarters.

Mr. Ezeala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the assailants fled in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry car after killing the police officer.

He said investigations into the killing had commenced and urged residents to cooperate with the police to ensure the arrest of the killers.

The police have also intensified their “stop and search” operation within Makurdi metropolis.

(NAN)