Kebbi attack: ‘We’ll not abandon families of slain police officers’ — Gov Idris

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has assured the families of 10 police officers killed in a gun battle with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area that they will not be abandoned.

Idris gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Police Force, led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Umar Shehu-Nadada, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the 10 officers were killed during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba LGA after police operatives intercepted the attackers moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

The Nigeria Police Force said 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.

Two civilians were also killed, while two police personnel sustained injuries.

Idris condoled with the Nigeria Police Force and the families of the deceased officers, noting that the personnel were deployed to the area to assist other security agencies in tackling terrorism and other criminal activities.

He said the state government would support the families of the fallen officers through the difficult period.

“It is our tradition in Kebbi to assist the families of fallen officers who died in the line of duty. The Kebbi Government will come to the aid of the families of these officers who paid the supreme price,” Idris said.

The governor also said the state government would continue to support security agencies in their efforts to confront criminal groups and restore security in affected communities.

He said the government remained committed to ensuring that no part of the state was surrendered to terrorists or other criminal elements.

The police delegation conveyed the condolences of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to the governor, the people of Kebbi and the families of the fallen officers.

The DIG said the police would sustain operations to track down those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.