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From Ola Muhammad, Birnin Kebbi, Faheem Lawal, Lagos
Ten police officers have been killed in a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Seventeen suspected bandits were also reportedly neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
The clash occurred at about 9:25am on Monday, August 10, 2026, when police operatives intercepted the suspected bandits, who were moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedo, who confirmed the incident, said the operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
He said 10 police personnel were killed during the firefight, while two others sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention. Two civilians were also reportedly killed during the engagement.
The development has thrown the Nigeria Police Force into mourning, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressing profound grief over the loss of the officers.
Disu extended his deepest condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the fallen personnel, describing their deaths as a painful loss to the Force and the nation.
The IGP said the officers paid the ultimate price while defending the lives and property of citizens they swore to protect.
He assured the families of the deceased that their sacrifices would not be forgotten, stressing that the Force would continue to support them at this difficult time.
The remains of the slain officers have been conveyed to Birnin Kebbi.
The police said the situation in the affected area had been brought under control, while security was further reinforced with the deployment of additional personnel to sustain operations and prevent the fleeing bandits from regrouping.
The security operatives have also intensified efforts to track down and apprehend members of the criminal group who escaped from the scene.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to provide the necessary support to the bereaved families and the injured officers.
The Force also vowed to honour the memory of the fallen personnel by sustaining its operations until the fleeing suspects are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Government has pledged to support the families of the 10 police officers killed by the terrorists.
Governor Nasir Idris made the commitment when a delegation sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, led by DIG Umar Dada, visited him at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Idris commiserated with the Nigeria Police Force and the families of the officers, saying the personnel were in the area to support other security agencies in confronting terrorists and other criminal elements.
“I want to condole the IGP and NPF over the sudden death of these officers. It is our tradition in Kebbi to assist the families of fallen officers who died during their duties.
“Kebbi government will come to the aid of the families of those officers who died,” he said.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the security personnel for their sacrifices in protecting communities across the state.
Earlier, DIG Dada conveyed the condolences of the IGP to the governor, the people of Kebbi State and the families of the fallen officers.
He assured the state government that the police would intensify efforts to track down those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.
“Please, be rest assured we are not going to rest in our efforts. All the attackers will be arrested and brought to book,” he said.
Dada also commended the Kebbi State Government for its continued support for the police and other security agencies operating in the state.
He disclosed that a new police squadron would soon be established in Kebbi State as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and improve the capacity of the force to respond to threats.
