At least 10 police officers and 17 suspected bandits were killed on Monday when security personnel engaged a large group of armed men who were reportedly moving from Zamfara State into Kebbi State.

Two civilians were also killed during the encounter, which occurred around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying its personnel intercepted and engaged the heavily armed group along the Zamfara-Kebbi axis.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Bashir Usman, said 17 suspected bandits had so far been neutralised during the operation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.

“This morning, our men intercepted and engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi States along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area,” Usman said.

He, however, said the casualty figures were still being verified.

Usman disclosed that 10 police personnel were killed in the confrontation, while two others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment.

“Tragically, we lost 10 gallant police personnel in the engagement, while two others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. Two civilians also lost their lives during the encounter,” he said.

The police spokesperson described the deceased officers as courageous personnel who fought professionally while carrying out their duties.

He added that the command had commenced efforts to support the families of the slain officers, provide medical care for the injured personnel and intensify operations to locate the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, residents gave a broader account of the movement of the armed group, claiming that about 240 bandits travelling on more than 200 motorcycles had entered the area from the Sangeko Gap axis of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A resident of Makuku, Malam Musa Sani, said the armed men travelled in three groups and spent the night in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku before moving towards Maburya on Monday morning.

He alleged that the group encountered a mobile police checkpoint while attempting to enter the community and overpowered the officers stationed there.

According to him, the attackers killed 10 mobile policemen and two civilians before taking away their rifles.

The latest clash underscores the continuing security challenges along the Zamfara-Kebbi border, where armed groups have continued to exploit difficult terrain and forest routes to move between communities.

The police command said operations would continue to track the fleeing suspects and prevent them from regrouping.