By Uriel Ihotu
ABUJA — Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has honoured 10 personnel of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) who were killed during an encounter with suspected bandits in Kebbi State, vowing that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Disu paid tribute to the fallen officers on Monday during a memorial parade held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to the IGP, the SIS personnel had intercepted a heavily armed group of suspected bandits reportedly moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states when the confrontation occurred.
He said the officers fought courageously to protect lives and property, but 10 personnel lost their lives while two others sustained injuries. Two civilians were also killed during the encounter.
Despite the losses, Disu said the operation resulted in the neutralisation of at least 17 suspected bandits, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
Police Honour Fallen Personnel
The 10 officers honoured at the memorial were:
- ASP Bala Buba, AP/F/No. 306724
- Inspector Stephen Simon, AP/F/No. 260162
- Inspector Awwal Sanni, AP/F/No. 358380
- Inspector Ayuba Hassan, AP/F/No. 376908
- Inspector Magaji Abdullahi, AP/F/No. 376892
- Inspector Solomon Jatau, AP/F/No. 376893
- Inspector Yahuza Umar, AP/F/No. 370343
- Sergeant Momjimoh Hamza, AP/F/No. 514474
- Corporal Ukpong Otuekong, AP/F/No. 524419
- Corporal Adam Abdulhakeem, AP/F/No. 538935
Disu described the fallen personnel as gallant officers who died while fulfilling their oath to serve, protect and defend Nigerians.
He also acknowledged the pain suffered by the families of the deceased, noting that behind every fallen officer is a family that has lost a husband, father, son, brother or loved one.
The IGP assured the bereaved families that the Nigeria Police Force would not abandon them.
He urged Nigerians to remember the fallen officers and the many other police personnel who continue to risk their lives in the service of the country.
‘We Shall Not Relent’
Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property, saying the Force would continue to work with the military, other security agencies, state governments and communities to confront banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime.
“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifices of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” the IGP declared.
He said the police would continue to pursue criminal elements, disrupt their activities and ensure that those responsible for attacks on security personnel and civilians were brought to justice.
Disu also urged serving officers to draw strength from the courage of their fallen colleagues as the Force continues efforts to restore and sustain peace and security across Nigeria.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers and for strength for their families to bear the loss.
