Police Hold Memorial For 10 Officers Killed In Kebbi Bandit Attack ‘After Running Out Of Ammunition’ | Sahara Reporters

Speaking at the memorial, Disu described the officers as heroes who died while carrying out their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

The Nigeria Police Force on Monday held a memorial parade in Abuja in honour of 10 officers killed during a deadly encounter with suspected bandits in Kebbi State, as the families of the fallen personnel called for greater support from the Force.

The ceremony, held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, was presided over by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and attended by senior police officers, colleagues and relatives of the deceased.

The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, during a gun battle with a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The deceased were identified as ASP Bala Buba, 43; Inspectors Saminu Sulaiman, 40; Solomon Jatau, 39; Ayuba Hassain, 38; Umar Yahuza, 37; Auwal Sani, 38; Adamu Abdullahi, 35; Abdullahi Magaji, 43; Sergeant Jimoh Momo, 35; and Corporal Ukpong Otrukmj, 34.

Speaking at the memorial, Disu described the officers as heroes who died while carrying out their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

Disu, who described the slain officers as “gallant”, said they “died doing what they swore an oath to do; to serve, to protect, and to defend lives and property”.

He said the operation, despite the loss of the personnel, also resulted in the neutralisation of 17 suspected bandits and the destruction of four motorcycles belonging to the attackers.

According to him, even in the tragedy, the “police recorded a significant operational success, with at least 17 suspected bandits reportedly neutralised and four motorcycles belonging to the attackers destroyed”.

The encounter also claimed the lives of two civilians, while two other police personnel were injured.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the officers, attached to the 44 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja, were on special duty in the Makuku area when they engaged the suspected bandits.

Police sources familiar with the incident said the officers were confronted by hundreds of armed attackers and engaged them in a prolonged gun battle.

The sources alleged that the personnel eventually exhausted their ammunition and made urgent requests for air support and ground reinforcements, but the assistance reportedly failed to arrive before they were overwhelmed.

“The officers were reportedly ambushed by more than 300 bandits,” a source said.

“They fought back but eventually ran out of ammunition. They desperately called for air support and ground reinforcements. The help they needed never came.”

The police had earlier confirmed the deaths, saying the officers were killed while engaging suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

According to a police situation report, the attackers also reportedly carted away weapons belonging to the security personnel after the encounter, including 10 AK-47 rifles, one RPG rifle and two riot guns, alongside other arms and ammunition.

The bodies of the slain officers were subsequently evacuated to the General Hospital, Dirin Daji, where they were confirmed dead. The injured civilian, identified as Shehu Abubakar, was referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi.

Additional police personnel were later deployed to the area to reinforce security and pursue fleeing members of the criminal group.

At Monday’s memorial, Disu acknowledged the impact of the deaths on the families of the officers, saying the loss extended far beyond the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the police chief, behind every fallen officer is a family that lost “a husband, father, son, brother or loved one.”

“To the families of our fallen heroes, I extend, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, my deepest condolences,” Disu said.

“We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we will not abandon you.”

He assured the families that the Force would continue to support them and honour the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

The memorial came after the deceased officers were buried in their respective hometowns following the August 10 attack.