Bauchi — Unknown gunmen this morning ambushed a Police Highway Patrol vehicle along Bauchi-Gombe road and shot dead three policemen.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Hassan Mohammed Auyo confirmed the attack to newsmen in his office in Bauchi.

"Bauchi State police command has lost three vibrant policemen. Hoodlums killed three of our men on patrol along Bauchi-Gombe road. They made away with three police rifles after opening fire at the policemen on patrol," he said.

The PPRO said further that, "from the report, we gathered that the policemen had just resumed duty at the patrol spot when the gun men opened fire killing one inspector and one corporal instantly. This happened at 8:49am. The second inspector who was critically injured was taken to a hospital where died."

He said, the fourth policeman narrowly escaped death with his rifle and ran into the bush.

The gunmen whose number was not ascertained as at the time of filing this report then snatched the three rifles belonging to the slain policemen.

Auyo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said investigation had been launched into the attack.

He said that a team of policemen had combed the scene of the attack in search of the culprits.

The PPRO expressed optimism that the hoodlums would be apprehended.

No group has claimed responsibility yet for the attack.