IGP Disu Vows Police Won’t Abandon Families of 10 Officers Killed by Kebbi Bandits

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has assured the families of 10 police officers killed in a gun battle with suspected bandits in Kebbi State that they will not be forgotten or abandoned.

Disu made the pledge on Monday during a memorial parade held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for the fallen officers, who were members of the Special Intervention Squad.

The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area, Kebbi State. The police team had reportedly intercepted a heavily armed group moving between Zamfara and Kebbi when a fierce gun battle broke out.

Ten officers died in the confrontation, while two other police personnel were injured. Two civilians were also reportedly killed. The police said at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.

Disu said the officers died while carrying out their constitutional duty to protect lives and property. He described their sacrifice as a reminder of the risks police personnel face daily in the fight against violent crime across Nigeria.

The IGP extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and promised continued support from the Nigeria Police Force. He said the Force would work with the military, other security agencies, state governments and local communities to confront banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime.

Also speaking at the memorial, Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, urged the IGP to ensure that the families left behind receive adequate support. He said caring for the families would help maintain the morale of officers still serving in the unit.

Shogunle praised the fallen officers for standing their ground during the attack and claimed that subsequent battle damage assessments indicated heavy casualties among the suspected bandits. He said villagers were still reporting the discovery of suspected terrorist bodies days after the encounter, stressing that the officers’ courage and commitment should not be forgotten.