The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to intensify its operations against banditry and other violent crimes following the death of 10 officers of the Special Intervention Squad in Kebbi State.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, made the pledge on Monday, August 24, 2026, during a memorial parade at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, held to honour the fallen officers.
The officers were killed on August 10 during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to Disu, the officers intercepted the suspected bandits as they moved between Zamfara and Kebbi states, triggering a fierce gun battle in which 10 policemen and two civilians were killed, while two other officers were injured.
The IGP said the sacrifice of the fallen personnel was not in vain, noting that 17 suspected bandits were neutralised and four motorcycles belonging to the attackers destroyed during the encounter. He described the deceased officers as gallant personnel who died in the line of duty while protecting lives and property.
The police chief condoled with the families of the deceased and assured them of continued support from the Force.
“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifices of our fallen heroes to be in vain,”,Disu said.
“We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we will not abandon you”, he told the bereaved families.
Disu also assured Nigerians that the police would strengthen collaboration with the Armed Forces, other security agencies, state governments and local communities to tackle banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes. He said the Force would intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those behind attacks on security personnel and civilians, disrupt their operations and bring them to justice.
“We will continue to pursue these criminal elements, disrupt their activities and bring those responsible for attacks on our personnel and innocent citizens to justice”, he said.
The IGP urged police personnel to draw strength from the sacrifice of their fallen colleagues and called on Nigerians to support efforts aimed at creating a safer and more peaceful country.
He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers and strength for their families to cope with the loss.
