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By Faheem Lawal
The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday held a memorial service at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in honour of 10 officers of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) who were killed during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government , Kebbi State.
The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, while engaging a heavily armed group of suspected bandits operating between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The memorial service featured prayers and tributes in honour of the fallen officers, with senior police officers, colleagues and members of the bereaved families gathering to pay their last respects and honour their courage, dedication and sacrifice.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedo, the officers were among personnel deployed to confront the heavily armed bandits. He said the encounter inflicted significant losses on the attackers before 10 police personnel eventually paid the supreme price.
In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, described the fallen officers as gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the service of the nation and in defence of the lives and property of Nigerians.
Disu expressed the deepest condolences of the Nigeria Police Force to the families of the deceased, assuring them that the sacrifices of their loved ones would remain etched in the history of the Force and would never be forgotten.
The IGP also declared that the Force would neither be intimidated nor relent in its ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent criminality.
He stressed that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be in vain, assuring that the police would continue to identify, pursue and bring to justice those responsible for attacks on its personnel and innocent citizens.
Also speaking, the Commander of the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that subsequent operational assessments showed that the losses inflicted on the attackers were significantly higher than the initial assessment.
Shogunle urged personnel of the SIS not to allow the incident to dampen their morale, charging them to remain resolute and continue the fight against violent criminals with the same courage and determination demonstrated by their fallen colleagues.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Grace Bala Buba, daughter of one of the fallen officers, appreciated the Nigeria Police Force for honouring the deceased and for the support extended to their families.
The IGP, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to the fight against banditry and terrorism, said the police would continue to strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders and intensify efforts to track down and prosecute those responsible for attacks on police personnel and innocent citizens.
