At least 10 police officers and 17 suspected bandits were killed during a clash between security operatives and a large group of armed men in Kebbi State.
The confrontation occurred on Monday around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area, as the suspected bandits were reportedly moving from Zamfara State into Kebbi.
According to residents, the armed group consisted of about 240 suspected bandits travelling on more than 200 motorcycles from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident, Malam Musa Sani, said the group moved in three separate formations and spent the night in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku before proceeding towards Maburya on Monday morning.
He said the group encountered a mobile police checkpoint while attempting to enter the community and overpowered the officers.
Sani alleged that 10 mobile policemen and two civilians were killed during the encounter, while the attackers reportedly took away some of the officers’ rifles.
Confirming the incident, Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Bashir Usman, said security personnel intercepted and engaged the heavily armed group along the Rafin Makuku axis.
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Usman disclosed that 17 suspected bandits had been neutralised and four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were burnt during the operation.
He added that 10 police personnel were killed, while two others sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention. Two civilians also lost their lives.
The spokesperson said the police command was working to support the families of the deceased officers, care for the injured and intensify efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.
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