Ten police officers and two civilians were killed during a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
The Public Relations Officer Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
SP Bashir Usman, said operatives intercepted a large group of armed bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi States and engaged in a gun dual with heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area.
According to him, Several of the attackers were neutralized, with at least 17 suspected bandits to have been neutralized, four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also burnt during the encounter, and the casualty figure remains subject to further verification.
He said the command’s immediate focus was on supporting victims’ families and pursuing fleeing attackers, caring for the wounded and sustaining follow-up operations against fleeing elements.
A resident of Makuku village who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that a heavy exchange of fire occurred in the area as the incident thrown Makuku Ward and the entire Sakaba LGA into mourning, with calls for prayers and government support for bereaved families.
Security operations in the border area are ongoing as authorities work to track down remaining members of the bandit group.
REL SANI DUTSINMA.
