Police mourn 10 officers killed in gun battle with bandits in Kebbi

The Nigeria Police Force has mourned 10 officers killed during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The police vowed to sustain operations to track down fleeing members of the criminal group.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, following the confirmation by the Kebbi State Police Command that 10 personnel and two civilians were killed during the encounter along the Rafin Makuku axis on Monday.

According to the police, the clash occurred at about 9:25 a.m. when operatives intercepted suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

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

It added that two police personnel sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention, while two civilians were also killed during the engagement.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, expressed grief over the deaths and condoled with the families of the fallen officers.

Disu described the incident as a loss to the police and the country, saying the officers were killed while carrying out their duties to protect citizens.

The remains of the 10 officers have been conveyed to Birnin Kebbi, while the police said the affected area had been brought under control.

The Force also said additional personnel had been deployed to the area to sustain operations and pursue the fleeing suspected bandits.

The police assured the families of the deceased and injured personnel of continued support, while vowing to bring those responsible for the attack to justice.