Police IG Vows NPF Won’t Be Intimidated as Force Honours 10 Officers Killed by Bandits in Kebbi

Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has vowed that the Nigeria Police Force will not be intimidated in its fight against banditry and other criminal threats, as the force honoured 10 officers killed during an operation in Kebbi State.

Disu made the declaration on Monday in Abuja at a memorial parade held for members of the Police Special Intervention Squad who died during a gun battle with suspected bandits on August 10.

The officers were reportedly responding to the movement of a heavily armed group travelling from Kebbi towards Zamfara when they engaged the suspects. According to Disu, the personnel fought with courage during the encounter, but 10 officers were killed while two others sustained injuries. Two civilians also lost their lives.

The police chief said the sacrifice was not in vain, claiming that at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation and four motorcycles used by the attackers were destroyed. He added that additional bodies believed to belong to the attackers had been recovered from different parts of the forest.

Disu described the fallen officers as men who died while carrying out the duty they had sworn to perform — protecting lives and property. He assured their families that the police would continue to support them and preserve the memory of their loved ones.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the NPF remains resolute in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property,” the Inspector-General said, adding that the force would continue working with the military, other security agencies, state governments and local communities to tackle insecurity.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, also praised the officers for standing their ground during the confrontation. He said subsequent battle assessments indicated that many attackers were killed, insisting that the officers did not abandon their positions despite the danger.

Disu urged Nigerians to remember the 10 officers and others who continue to risk their lives in the line of duty. He said the deaths were a reminder of the heavy personal cost paid by security personnel working to protect communities across the country.