The identities and photographs of 10 policemen killed during a battle with suspected bandits in Kebbi State have emerged.
The officers, attached to the 44 Police Mobile Force in Abuja, were on special duty in Makuku, Sakaba Local Government Area, when they were attacked on August 10, 2026.
The policemen were said to have died during a fierce gun battle with a large number of suspected bandits who reportedly entered the area on hundreds of motorcycles.
The deceased officers were identified as Superintendent of Police Bala Buba, AP/No. 306724; Inspector Stephen Simon, AP/No. 260162; Inspector Solomon Jatau, AP/No. 376893; Inspector Ayuba Hassan, AP/No. 376908; Inspector Umar Yahuza, AP/No. 370343; Inspector Auwal Sani, AP/No. 358380; Inspector Abdullahi Magaji, AP/No. 376892; Sergeant Momoh Jimoh Hamza, F/No. 514474; Corporal Ukpong Otuekong, F/No. 524419; and Corporal Adam Abdulhakeem, F/No. 538935.
Two civilians were also killed during the attack, while another resident, Shehu Abubakar, reportedly sustained serious gunshot injuries.
A report titled ‘A Testament of Courage, Sacrifice and Service’ gave details of the operation and described the incident as a major test of the officers’ commitment to protecting the community.
According to the report, the Special Intervention Squad received intelligence that a large group of suspected bandits was approaching Makuku.
The attackers were reportedly moving on about 250 motorcycles, with an estimated three suspected bandits on each motorcycle.
The policemen allegedly received the information only a few minutes before the attackers arrived, giving them little time to prepare.
The report said the officers had the option of withdrawing from the area but chose to remain and protect residents.
“At that moment, the SIS personnel were faced with an extremely difficult choice. They could have withdrawn from the location to preserve their own lives, leaving the vulnerable residents of Makuku exposed to the advancing attackers.
“Instead, they chose to stand.
“Rather than abandon the people they were deployed to protect, they confronted the attackers and fought back with courage, discipline and determination.”
The Nigeria Police Force said 17 suspected bandits were killed during the operation, while four motorcycles used by the attackers were destroyed.
However, police sources alleged that the officers later ran out of ammunition during the prolonged gun battle.
One 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 report also confirmed that the officers requested reinforcement during the attack.
It stated, “However, the reinforcement did not arrive at the time it was urgently required.”
A police situation report also alleged that the suspected bandits escaped with some weapons belonging to the security personnel.
The weapons reportedly included 10 AK-47 rifles, an RPG rifle, two riot guns and other ammunition.
Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, held a memorial parade for the deceased officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Disu described them as gallant officers who died while carrying out their duty of protecting lives and property.
According to the IGP, the officers “died doing what they swore an oath to do; to serve, to protect, and to defend lives and property.”
He also spoke about the pain their deaths had caused their families.
“Behind every fallen officer is a family that lost a husband, father, son, brother or loved one,” Disu said.
Addressing the families, the IGP assured them, “We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we will not abandon you.”
The police chief was also commended for approving ₦5 million for each of the families of the fallen officers and enlisting replacements for them into the Nigeria Police Force.
