“What happened was quite unfortunate, but I can assure you that none of them will go unpunished. The team sent by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is already in town and they are going to ensure that they trace all the criminals.

“We condole with them (the victims) on the very unfortunate incident. We give them assurance that the Federal Government will continue to do its best to ensure the sanctity, security of lives and property.

“We sympathise and condole not just with the people of Offa but also the police who lost about nine gallant officers,” he said.

Mohammed, however, asked members of the public to be prompt in helping security agents with information about people suspected to be criminals.

The monarch said the increased presence of mobile policemen will curb crime, noting that the number of policemen in the state is inadequate.