Suspected bandits ambushed and killed no fewer than four Nigerian police officer, a statement by the force spokesperson, Frank Mba, has said.

The statement said the incident happened in the Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

One policeman remains missing.

According to Mba, the officers were on their way back to their base in Kano after completing a special duty when they were attacked on Friday along the Birnin-Gwari Funtua Highway.

The officers are personnel attached to Operation Puff Adder and deployed to Niger State in the sustained operation to reclaim public space.

He said the team was deployed to tackle incidences of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.

“Contrary to unconfirmed reports in some sections of the media that 18 officers were kidnapped, only 16 were attacked in the ambush,” Mba said in a statement on Sunday.

“The officers successfully repelled the attack accordingly and neutralised the bandits in their tens while many others scampered into the bush with gun shot injuries.

“Regrettably, four of the Officers paid the supreme price during the exchange of gun fire between the police and the bandits while an officer is still missing.”

Mba said the remaining 11 officers led by their Unit Commander successfully recovered the bodies and firearms of their fallen colleagues, adding that concerted efforts were being intensified to rescue the officer still missing.

He added that “tens” of gunmen were also killed in the clashes on Friday.

Meanwhile, in other separate attacks on Sunday also in Kaduna state, the authorities confirmed at least five people including an 80-year-old woman and a local traditional ruler were killed and several others wounded.

The state commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, says the gunmen targeted three rural areas of Giwa, Igabi and Chikun.

It’s not clear who carried out the series of weekend attacks in Kaduna state.

But it is one of several states in north-western Nigeria where criminal gangs frequently carry out deadly assaults or kidnap people for ransom.

In a previous attack within the week at least 18 people including mothers and their babies were kidnapped in a village in Birnin-Gwari area of the state. They’re yet to be released.

The violent protests in Tunisian cities continued with demonstrators clashing with police and other security forces, forcing the government to deploy the army.

Youths in the country took to the streets to protests economic hardship since Friday night. The protests was reportedly sparked by the video of a policeman assaulting a shepherd in Siliana, Northern Tunisia.

Demonstrators defied a curfew, imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus, and have taken to the streets every night since Friday protesting economic hardship.

A Defence Ministry official said on Sunday evening that army forces have been deployed in the cities of Sousse, Bizert, Kasserine and Siliana to support police forces and protect sovereign facilities.

In the capital Tunis, police forces used tear gas to disperse protesters, eye witnesses said.

Videos shared on social media showed protesters blocking roads and setting tires on fire while security forces tried to chase and disperse the demonstrators.

An Interior Minister official said that some 242 people have been arrested.

The protests come as Tunisia marks 10 years after the uprising that toppled long-time former President Ben Ali.

Since then, the country experienced an economic slowdown due to public unrest and ensuing attacks by militant insurgents.

The coronavirus pandemic worsened Tunisia’s ailing economy.

This rather sad news hit social media on Sunday, and messages of condolences have since been pouring into his family and friends.

South African actress, film-maker, producer, Connie Ferguson, who worked with him in several productions, took to her Instagram page to share the news of his passing and paid tribute to him.

“Papa Sam!😭 We are losing legends!💔 This is too much! What does one even say now!🥲 Thank you, papa Sam for who you were to us! What you will continue to represent! Thank you for your talent, your humility, your sense of humour, your professionalism, and for just being a father to all of us. This is a sad sad loss.💔 Rest In Power Papa.🙏🏾 You continue to live on through your work and for that we are eternally grateful.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.”

There are no official statements on his passing from his family, but, fans, loved ones and well-wishers have been sending their condolences to Pa Sam Phillips

The agent of veteran actor, Sam Phillips, says the arts industry has lost an icon.
Gaenor Artiste Management Agent, Lynne Higgins, says Phillips played a pivotal role in shaping the acting industry.
Higgins says he also acted in international plays like Athol Fugard’s Master Herold and The Boys in New Orleans.

“He was an amazing man. We will miss him. We loved him. He was an icon in our industry and there are no words to cover how devastated we at Gaenor’s are. He was part of our family. He was our grandfather in our family. He knew so many people from theatre to TV, to writing, to scriptwriting, to film. So much that he has done in the industry and so many he has met in his place of work

Sam was a prolific actor whose career spanned several decades. Phillips graced South African TV screens for decades. He was an actor, writer, producer, and music composer and featured in well-known productions including Phamokate, Backstage and Soul City.

His latest project was on The Ferguson’s series Kings of Jo’burg. The 6-part series Kings of Jo’burg was recently picked up by Netflix, and it premiered on December 4th.
Sam starred as Shona Ferguson’s father, who plays a lead role in the series. The 72-year-old is also an Oscar nominee for the lead role he portrayed in Senzeni na?

Sam Philips’ death follows the passing of Lindiwe Dlovu who passed on January 11th. Her family confirmed her passing through a statement.

“It is with heavy hearts and unimaginable sadness that we bring you the news of Lindiwe Thembeka Ndlovu passing in her home this morning 11th January.”

The family, however, did not reveal the circumstances surrounding her cause of death but they have described her as an unsung incredible actress who lived a huge space in the creative world of acting.