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Seventeen suspected bandits and 10 police officers were killed on Monday during an encounter between security personnel and a large group of armed men moving from Zamfara into Kebbi State.
Two civilians were also killed in the clash around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, according to the police.
Residents said the bandits, estimated at about 240 and travelling on more than 200 motorcycles, moved from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident of Makuku, Malam Musa Sani, said the group travelled in three formations and camped overnight in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku before advancing towards Maburya on Monday morning.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Bashir Usman, said 17 suspected bandits had so far been confirmed neutralised.
He said police operatives intercepted and engaged the heavily armed group as they moved between Zamfara and Kebbi states along the Rafin Makuku axis.
Usman added that four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed during the encounter, noting that the casualty figures were still subject to further verification.
“Tragically, we lost 10 gallant police personnel in the engagement, while two others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. Two civilians also lost their lives during the encounter,” he said.
The police spokesperson described the deceased officers as gallant personnel who fought with courage and professionalism in the line of duty.
He said the command’s immediate priorities were to support the families of the fallen officers, provide medical care for the injured and sustain operations against fleeing members of the armed group.
