The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 10 police officers and two civilians during an encounter with suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The officers, who were attached to the 44 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja, were on special duty in the area when they engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said the encounter occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, after police operatives intercepted suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
According to the Force, 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 sustained injuries. Two civilians also lost their lives during the incident.
The 10 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.
The two civilians were identified as Mohammadu Magwawara, 50, and Muhammadu Tiritiri, 45.
The Force described the slain officers as gallant personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty while confronting the armed group.
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 would not be forgotten and would continue to be honoured by the Nigeria Police Force.
The remains of the 10 officers were subsequently conveyed to Birnin Kebbi, while the two injured personnel were said to be receiving necessary support.
The police said the area had been brought under control, with additional personnel deployed to reinforce security operations and pursue fleeing members of the criminal group.
The development had earlier been reported by SaharaReporters, which cited a police situation report dated August 10, 2026.
According to the report, information available to the police at about 7:40 p.m. indicated that 10 personnel had been killed following a gun duel with the armed bandits at Makuku village.
Following the incident, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Sakaba Division, DSP Umaru Bagudu, reportedly visited the scene and discovered the bodies of the slain officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to provide necessary support to the families of the fallen officers and injured personnel while sustaining operations to bring the fleeing suspects to justice.