Seventeen suspected bandits and 10 police officers were killed on Monday during a gun battle between security personnel and a large group of armed men who reportedly moved from Zamfara State into Kebbi State.
Two civilians were also killed in the encounter around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, according to the police.
The attackers were reportedly moving from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State towards Kebbi.
A resident of Makuku, Musa Sani, said the bandits, estimated at about 240 and travelling on more than 200 motorcycles, moved in three formations before camping overnight in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku.
He said they proceeded towards Maburya on Monday morning, where they encountered a mobile police checkpoint while attempting to enter the community.
According to him, the attackers overpowered the security personnel, killing 10 mobile policemen and two civilians before taking away their rifles.
Confirming the clash, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Bashir Usman, said 17 suspected bandits had so far been confirmed killed.
“This morning, our men intercepted and engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi States along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area,” Usman said.
He added that four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also burnt during the encounter, while the casualty figures remained subject to further verification.
“Tragically, we lost 10 gallant police personnel in the engagement, while two others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. Two civilians also lost their lives during the encounter,” he said.
Usman described the slain officers as courageous personnel who fought professionally in the line of duty.
He said the command’s immediate priorities were to support the bereaved families, provide medical care for the injured officers and continue operations to track fleeing members of the group.
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