Bandits shoot 9 police officers dead in Kebbi

The Kebbi police command has confirmed the killing of nine of its personnel including a divisional police officer (DPO) by bandits in Sakaba LGA of the state.

Nafi’u Abubakar, the command spokesperson, said the officers were killed during a gun duel with the bandits on Sunday.

Two “Yan Sa Kai” (local vigilantes) and an unknown number of residents also lost their lives in the bandits’ attack.

“DPO Sakaba, eight other policemen and two ‘yan-sa-kais’ lost their lives during a gun duel with the bandits on Sunday at about 14:30 hours,” Abubakar said.

The bandits were said to have attacked five villages namely Dankolo, Sakaba, Makuku, Dokar Kambari and Kurmin Hodo.

NAN quoted Salisu Adamu, a resident, as saying they also carted away some livestock.

“Bandits attacked our villages since around 8:00 a.m. Please we need your prayers,” Adamu said.

“They carted away thousands of cattle from Dankolo, Sakaba, Makuku, Dokar Kambari and Kurmin Hodo villages and many food items as they came with more than 100 motorcycles, well-armed.

“They started shooting sporadically which prompted the village people to flee for safety in different directions.”

The country has continued to witness an increase in security threats– ranging from robbery to kidnappings and killings.