The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 10 police officers killed during an encounter with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The Force, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the officers were killed while engaging a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, when police operatives intercepted the suspected bandits who were moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The police said 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
However, 10 police personnel were killed and two others injured during the operation. Two civilians were also killed.
The Force described the deceased officers as gallant personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty while confronting the armed group.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressed grief over the deaths and extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen officers.
Disu described their death as “a painful loss to the Force and the nation,” adding that the officers “paid the ultimate price while defending the people they swore to protect.”
The IGP assured the bereaved families that the sacrifice of the officers “will never be forgotten and will continue to be honoured by the Nigeria Police Force.”
The remains of the 10 officers were subsequently conveyed to Birnin Kebbi, while the police said the area had been brought under control.
The Force said additional personnel had been deployed to reinforce security in the area and sustain operations to pursue fleeing members of the criminal group.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains deeply mindful of the pain and loss suffered by the families of the fallen officers,” the statement said.
The Force added that it would “continue to stand with the bereaved families, provide every necessary support to them and the injured personnel, while honouring the memory and sacrifice of our fallen heroes through sustained efforts to bring the fleeing suspects to justice.”
Earlier, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that 10 police personnel attached to the 44 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja, on special duty in Makuku, Sakaba LGA, had been killed by bandits following a gun duel.
According to a police situation report (SITREP) obtained by SaharaReporters, the attack occurred at Makuku village, with the aftermath of the gun battle revealing the deaths of 10 police personnel and two civilians.
The report, dated August 10, 2026, stated that information available to the police at about 7:40 p.m. indicated that the armed bandits had killed the personnel following the gun duel between the Mobile Police Force and the attackers.
Following the incident, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sakaba Division, DSP Umaru Bagudu, reportedly visited the scene and discovered the bodies of the slain officers.
The deceased officers were identified as ASP Bala Buba, 43; Inspector Saminu Sulaiman, 40; Inspector Solomon Jatau, 39; Inspector Ayuba Hassain, 38; Inspector Umar Yahuza, 37; Inspector Auwal Sani, 38; Sergeant Jimoh Momo, 35; Corporal Ukpong Otrukmj, 34; Inspector Adamu Abdullahi, 35; and Inspector Abdullahi Magaji, 43.
All 10 officers were attached to the 44 PMF, Abuja, and were serving on special duty in the area.
The police report also identified the two civilians killed during the attack as Mohammadu Magwawara, 50, and Muhammadu Tiritiri, 45.