Police kill 17 bandits, lose 10 officers in Kebbi gun battle

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File image for illustration.

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By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi

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BIRNIN KEBBI — The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the death of 10 police officers during a gun battle with armed bandits at Makuku village in Zuru Emirate, along the Kebbi-Zamfara border.

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The command also said 17 bandits were killed while several others sustained injuries during the encounter.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the bandits had stormed the community with the intention of attacking and possibly abducting residents.

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According to him, armed mobile police personnel, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly moved to the area and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.

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He said the encounter resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with 10 police officers losing their lives while several others sustained injuries.

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“Yes, there was a gunfight between our men and bandits at Makuku village and, tragically, we lost 10 officers while we killed over 17 bandits,” Usman said.

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He added that the injured officers were receiving medical attention at a health facility.

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The police spokesman commended the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, saying their sacrifice would not be in vain.

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Usman also assured that the wounded personnel would receive the necessary medical attention and support.

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The command said it remained committed to protecting residents and combating banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

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