The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has honoured 10 police officers who were killed during a fierce encounter with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State..
The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, while intercepting a heavily armed group of suspected bandits reportedly moving towards Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Speaking at a ceremony held to honour the fallen personnel at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Disu said the officers fought with courage and determination in defense of Nigerians and national security.
He said two other police personnel were injured in the encounter, while two civilians also lost their lives.
According to the IGP, at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
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Disu said additional bodies believed to belong to the bandits had subsequently been recovered from different parts of the forest.
“These gallant officers died doing what they swore an oath to do, to serve, to protect and to defend lives and properties,” the IGP said.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased officers, describing their loss as painful and assuring them that the police would not abandon them.
“I will not abandon you. We will not abandon you,” Disu told the bereaved families.
The IGP further assured Nigerians that the police would continue working with the military, other security agencies, state governments and local communities to tackle banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality.
“We shall not be intimidated. We shall not relent. And we shall not allow the sacrifice of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” he said.
Disu added that the police would continue to honour the memory of the fallen officers while pursuing those responsible for attacks on security personnel and innocent citizens.
The Police Commissioner in charge of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS),Abayomi Shogunle praised the officers for standing their ground during the attack.
Shogunle said subsequent battle-damage assessments indicated that many suspected terrorists were killed during the confrontation, and that residents had continued to alert the police to the discovery of bodies in the area.
He said the fallen personnel demonstrated courage and dedication until the end of their service.
“We honour the courage, dedication and sacrifice of these gallant officers. Their service and sacrifice to the nation will never be forgotten,” Shogunle said.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Faith Bala Buba, daughter of one of the deceased officers, ASP Bala Buba thanked the police leadership and Nigerians for supporting and consoling the families.
She, however, appealed to the authorities to sustain their support for the families, particularly through the police fund.
“Please, they should help us. They should not abandon us,” Buba said.
