LAGOS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Two police officers were killed by some unknown gunmen in north Nigeria's Jigawa state, local police said on Monday.
The two policemen were gunned down on Sunday while responding to a distress call informing a group of gunmen invaded the house of a resident in the Kwalam town of the state and abducted him, said Lawan Shiisu, a spokesperson for the police in Jigawa.
"Upon receipt of the report, we mobilized a team of police officers and headed to the scene. On arrival, we engaged them in a gun duel and they fled," Shiisu said.
He said the two police officers were shot dead close to an improvised patrol vehicle that was set ablaze by the gunmen.
The police spokesperson said security agencies were working to free the abducted victim and apprehend the gunmen.
The most populous African country has seen a series of armed attacks in recent months, leading to the deaths of security operatives and civilians. ■