The Nigeria Police Force has mourned 10 officers k!lled during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The Kebbi State Police Command had earlier confirmed that 10 personnel, two civilians and 17 bandits were k!lled during the encounter along the Rafin Makuku axis on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The bandits, estimated to number about 240 and travelling on more than 200 motorcycles, reportedly moved from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, August 11.
According the statement, the clash occurred at about 9:25 am when police operatives intercepted the suspected bandits, who were moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The Force confirmed that at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
The Force extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the officers who lost their lives in the encounter.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the gallantry and sacrifice of the officers who repelled the attack.
He assured the families that the sacrifice of the officers would not be forgotten and would continue to be honoured by the Nigeria Police Force.
The remains of the fallen personnel have been conveyed to Birnin Kebbi.
“The Nigeria Police Force confirms that on Monday, 10th August 2026, at about 0600hrs, a large group of armed bandits, numbering over 200 and riding on motorcycles, attacked a security camp at Makuku in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, occupied by personnel of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) Platoon 2 and Police Mobile Force (PMF) 48,” the statement read.
“On receipt of the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, immediately mobilised and deployed reinforcements, which were further supported by units of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force drawn from within Kebbi and Katsina States.
‘A fierce exchange of gunfire lasting over two hours ensued between security forces and the attackers.
“In the course of the operation, the Force sadly lost ten (10) personnel in the line of duty, while one vigilante member and two civilians also lost their lives in the attack.
“The remains of the fallen officers have been recovered and deposited at a mortuary in Birnin Kebbi. Next of kin are being duly notified, and further personal details are being withheld out of respect for the families at this time.
“The bandits suffered significant losses during the engagement, with at least seventeen (17) attackers believed to have been neutralised and several of their motorcycles destroyed by security forces before they fled the area, with surviving accomplices observed conveying the bodies away on motorcycles as they retreated.
“The Inspector-General of Police has commended the gallantry and sacrifice of the officers who repelled the attack and directed the immediate reinforcement of security architecture across Sakaba LGA and neighbouring communities to forestall further attacks.
“The Nigeria Police Force extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the officers, the vigilante member, and the civilians who lost their lives, and assures them of full welfare support in line with Force policy.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and to continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
“The Force reaffirms its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country and will not relent in its operations against banditry and armed criminality.”
