Seventeen suspected bandits and 10 police officers were killed on Monday during a clash between security personnel and a large group of armed men moving from Zamfara State towards Kebbi State.
Two civilians were also killed in the incident, which happened around the Rafin Makuku area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, according to the police.
Residents said the armed group was made up of about 240 bandits travelling on more than 200 motorcycles. They reportedly came from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident of Makuku, Malam Musa Sani, said the bandits moved in three groups and spent the night in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku before heading towards Maburya on Monday morning.
According to him, the attackers met a mobile police checkpoint while trying to enter the community and overpowered the officers.
“The bandits killed 10 mobile policemen and two civilians and carted away their rifles,” he alleged.
The spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Bashir Usman, confirmed the attack and said 17 suspected bandits had so far been neutralised.
“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,” he said.
Usman said four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also burnt during the operation, noting that the casualty figures were still being verified.
“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.
He described the officers who died as brave personnel who fought with courage and professionalism while carrying out their duties.
The police spokesperson said the command would focus on supporting the families of the officers who died, treating those injured and continuing operations to track down the fleeing suspects.
10 police officers, 17 suspected bandits killed in Kebbi clash