Police Kill 17 Bandits, Lose 10 Officers in Kebbi Gun Battle

The Kebbi State Police Command has reported that 17 bandits were killed and 10 police officers were killed in a gun battle at Makuku village, Zuru Emirate, near the Kebbi-Zamfara border.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying the confrontation followed credible intelligence about an impending attack on the community.

According to the police, the armed men had entered the area with the intention of attacking residents and possibly abducting some of them.

Acting on the intelligence, officers of the Mobile Police Force were deployed to the community, where they engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

The encounter resulted in the deaths of 17 bandits, while several others were reportedly wounded. The police said the injured attackers fled the area following the confrontation.

However, the operation came at a high cost for the security forces, with 10 police officers killed during the gun battle. Other officers also sustained injuries and were taken to a health facility for medical treatment.

Confirming the casualties, Usman said the officers had engaged the attackers while carrying out their duty to protect residents in the affected community.

The police spokesperson said the fallen officers had died in the line of duty, while assuring that personnel who survived the encounter and sustained injuries would receive the necessary medical attention and support.

The incident highlights the security challenges facing communities along the Kebbi-Zamfara border, where armed groups have carried out attacks and abductions.

The police command said security personnel remain committed to protecting residents and responding to threats against communities in the area.