Ten police officers have been killed in a gun battle with armed bandits at Makuku village in Zuru Emirate, along the Kebbi-Zamfara border.
The Kebbi State Police Command also said 17 bandits were killed while several others sustained injuries during the encounter.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the bandits had invaded the community with the intention of attacking residents and possibly abducting them.
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According to Usman, armed mobile police personnel, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
He said the confrontation resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with 10 losing their lives while several others sustained injuries.
“Yes, there was a gunfight between our men and bandits at Makuku village and, tragically, we lost 10 officers while we killed over 17 bandits,” Usman said.
The police spokesman said the injured officers had been evacuated to a health facility where they were receiving medical treatment.
He commended the officers who died in the line of duty, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of commitment to protecting residents and maintaining peace in the state.
Usman also assured that the wounded personnel would receive the necessary medical attention and support from the command.
The command said security operations would continue across the affected areas as efforts were intensified to protect communities and prevent further attacks by criminal groups.
It reaffirmed its commitment to combating banditry and other forms of criminality while safeguarding the lives and property of residents across Kebbi State.