- IGP Disu mourns
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that 17 armed bandits were killed during a gun battle with security operatives at Makuku village in Zuru Emirate, along the Kebbi-Zamfara border.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the bandits had stormed the community with the intention of attacking residents and possibly abducting some of them.
Usman said the armed mobile police force, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.
According to him, at least 17 bandits were killed while several others sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
The police spokesperson, however, said the security operation came at a heavy cost, with 10 police officers killed in the gun battle. He added that other officers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were receiving medical treatment at a health facility.
“Yes, there was a gunfight between our men and the bandits at Makuku village. Tragically, we lost 10 officers while we killed over 17 bandits,” Usman said.
He said the officers who died in the line of duty “did not die in vain”, assuring that the wounded personnel would receive the necessary medical attention and support.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has expressed grief over the killing of 10 officers in the gun battle.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, while giving details of the incident, confirmed that the officers were killed in an encounter which occurred at about 9:25am on Monday, August 10, 2026, along the Rafin Makuku axis, when the operatives intercepted a heavily armed group of suspected bandits reportedly moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Iniedu also confirmed that at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the confrontation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
He, however, said the police also suffered significant casualties, with 10 personnel killed in the line of duty and two others sustaining injuries.
Two civilians were also killed during the encounter
In reaction, IGP Disu mourned the loss of the officers while extending his condolences to their families and loved ones.
Iniedu quoted Disu as describing the deaths as painful loss to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation while stressing that the officers paid the ultimate price while protecting the people they swore to serve.
The IGP also assured the families of the fallen personnel that their sacrifices would not be forgotten and would continue to be honoured by the Force.
The Force Public Relations Officer added that the remains of the deceased officers had been evacuated to Birnin Kebbi, while the affected area had been brought under control.
He also added that additional security personnel had been deployed to reinforce the area and sustain operations aimed at pursuing fleeing members of the criminal group.
“The Force also assured the bereaved families and the injured personnel of continued support, while pledging to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“The police reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations against banditry and other criminal activities in the affected areas.