CSP Dennis David Babale was reportedly ambushed while responding to a distress call along the Gagshi Road linking Barkin Ladi and Bokkos.

The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Dennis David Babale, has been killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Babale was attacked at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, while travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle along the Gagshi Road between Barkin Ladi and Bokkos.

Reports indicate that the security team was responding to a distress call when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.

Babale sustained serious gunshot injuries during the attack and was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Barkin Ladi for medical treatment. He later died from the injuries sustained in the ambush.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the death, stating that a Chief Superintendent of Police attached to Operation Rainbow was killed along the Gagshi Road.

Following the attack, troops from Sector 4 of Operation Enduring Peace, alongside personnel from other security agencies, were deployed to the area to track the attackers and restore security.

The security forces have also commenced investigations aimed at identifying the assailants and bringing those responsible for the killing to justice.

The incident has heightened concerns over security in parts of Plateau State, particularly Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu, which have witnessed renewed attacks and violence in recent days.

The Plateau State Government had imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the three local government areas from September 21 following a series of attacks in the affected communities.

The latest killing came amid reports of another attack in Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu, in Barkin Ladi, where three civilians were reportedly killed.

Security agencies are expected to intensify operations across the affected areas as authorities work to prevent further attacks and identify those behind the recent violence.

The death of Babale adds to the security personnel killed while responding to threats in a region that has continued to face periodic attacks despite ongoing military and police operations.