Ten police officers have been killed in a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits in Kebbi State, while 17 suspects were reportedly neutralised
10 Police Officers Killed in Kebbi Gun Battle as 17 Bandits Are Neutralised
The Nigeria Police Force has mourned 10 personnel killed during a fierce encounter with suspected bandits in Kebbi State, describing the officers as heroes who paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation.
The personnel were killed on Monday when police operatives engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Force, the operatives intercepted the suspects at about 9:25am as they moved between Zamfara and Kebbi states, triggering a fierce gun battle.
At least 17 suspected bandits were reportedly neutralised during the operation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
However, the police also suffered significant casualties, with 10 personnel killed and two others sustaining injuries. Two civilians were also killed during the encounter.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressed profound grief over the death of the officers and condoled with their families, describing their deaths as a painful loss to the Force and the nation.
Disu said the fallen personnel “paid the ultimate price while defending the people they swore to protect,” assuring their families that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to honour the memory of the officers and stand by their families during the period of profound grief.
The remains of the deceased personnel have since been conveyed to Birnin Kebbi, while security forces have brought the area under control.
Additional personnel have also been deployed to reinforce ongoing operations and pursue fleeing members of the criminal group.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the police were conscious of the pain being suffered by the families of the fallen officers.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains deeply mindful of the pain and loss suffered by the families of the fallen officers,” Iniedu said.
He assured the bereaved families and injured personnel of the Force’s support, stressing that the deaths of the officers would not be allowed to be in vain.
“The Force will continue to stand with the bereaved families, provide every necessary support to them and the injured personnel, while honouring the memory and sacrifice of our fallen heroes through sustained efforts to bring the fleeing suspects to justice,” he said.
The latest casualties highlight the growing dangers confronting police personnel and other security operatives on the frontline of Nigeria’s battle against banditry and other violent crimes.
For the families of the 10 officers, the operation has left behind a painful reminder of the sacrifice their loved ones made in service to the country, even as the police vow to pursue the fleeing suspects and ensure the officers’ courage and patriotism are not forgotten.
