The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 10 personnel following a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, underscoring the escalating security pressure across parts of the North-West.
The confrontation, which occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on Monday, August 10, along the Rafin Makuku axis, also left two civilians dead and two police personnel injured, according to the Force.
Police operatives reportedly intercepted a heavily armed group of suspected bandits believed to have been moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states when the encounter began.
Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that 17 suspected bandits were killed during the exchange of fire, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
The police casualties highlight the risks faced by security personnel operating along the increasingly volatile corridor linking Kebbi and Zamfara, where criminal groups have exploited difficult terrain and vast rural communities to carry out attacks and evade security operations.
Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Inspector-General of Police, expressed grief over the deaths, describing the fallen officers as personnel who paid the ultimate price in the course of protecting citizens.
He extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased officers, assuring them that the sacrifices of the personnel would not be forgotten.
The Force said the remains of the 10 officers had been evacuated to Birnin Kebbi, while the affected area had been brought under control following the confrontation.
Additional security personnel have also been deployed to the area to reinforce existing operations and pursue members of the criminal group who fled after the encounter.
The Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack, while injured personnel and the families of the deceased officers would continue to receive support from the Force.
The latest clash comes against the backdrop of persistent banditry and other forms of violent crime across the North-West, particularly in rural communities where security agencies have continued to conduct operations against armed groups.
Kebbi shares boundaries with Zamfara, Niger and Benin Republic, giving criminal groups operating in the wider North-West corridor access to difficult-to-police routes. The state’s proximity to Zamfara, which has experienced years of bandit attacks and kidnappings, has also made cross-border security coordination and intelligence gathering increasingly important.
The Police said it would sustain operations in the area and intensify efforts to prevent the regrouping of fleeing suspects and restore security to affected communities.
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