The Nigeria Police Force has honoured 10 officers killed during a deadly encounter with suspected bandits in Kebbi State, with Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, announcing welfare measures for their families.
The officers were killed on August 10 during a confrontation with a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Mahuta-Kuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to the police, the tactical team intercepted the bandits as they attempted to move towards Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The encounter resulted in the deaths of 10 police officers, while two others sustained injuries. Two civilians were also reportedly killed during the crossfire.
However, the police said their operatives killed at least 17 bandits, destroyed four motorcycles belonging to the criminals and forced the remaining members of the gang to flee into the surrounding forests.
Speaking during a solemn ceremony at the Force headquarters on Monday to honour the fallen officers, IGP Disu described them as courageous personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Disu said he personally knew some of the deceased officers and had worked alongside them during anti-banditry operations in Kwara State.
“I know those who died personally. These are officers of great courage who will never move a step back,” he said, while expressing grief over their deaths.
The police chief also announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved the immediate release of outstanding death benefits owed to families of deceased police officers across the country.
He said the families of the officers killed in Kebbi would benefit from the payment without further administrative delays.
Disu further disclosed that all applications submitted by eligible relatives of the fallen officers seeking recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force had been approved.
“We are not going to ever leave them behind. A backlog of money that was supposed to have been paid for deceased police officers for some time now has just been paid by the President,” he said.
“Furthermore, all the families who have applied to join the police previously, every single list given to us have been approved.”
The IGP said the deceased officers died while carrying out their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, describing their deaths as a reminder of the sacrifices made by security personnel across the country.
He commiserated with the families, assuring them that the Police Force would not abandon them.
The officers honoured were Inspector Awal Sani, Inspector Jatau Solomon, Inspector Magaji Abdullahi, Inspector Stephen Simon, Sergeant Yahuza Umar, Sergeant Momo Jimoh Hamza, Corporal Ukpong Otuekong, Corporal Adam Abdulkarim, ASP Bala Buba and Inspector Ayuba Hassan.
Disu also assured Nigerians that the Police Force would remain committed to tackling banditry and other forms of violent crime across the country.
He said the loss of the officers would strengthen the resolve of security forces to pursue criminal elements and bring those responsible to justice.
“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifice of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” the IGP said.
Prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased, while the Police High Command reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Armed Forces and other security agencies to maintain peace and security across the country.
