The Federal Government has settled outstanding financial benefits owed to families of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has disclosed.
The IGP made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during a memorial service held at the Force Headquarters in honour of 10 police officers killed while confronting suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, during a fierce gun battle with a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Makoku axis of Sakaba.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the officers intercepted the armed group as they were reportedly moving towards Zamfara and Kebbi states, resulting in a prolonged confrontation.
Ten police officers and two civilians were killed during the encounter, while two other officers sustained injuries.
The Force said at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also destroyed.
Speaking at the memorial service, Disu described the deceased officers as among the finest personnel in the Nigeria Police Force, praising their courage, discipline and unwavering commitment to duty.
The IGP, who disclosed that he had personally served alongside some of the officers during anti-banditry operations in Kwara State, said they demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of danger and remained committed to their mission until their final moments.
“These are officers who will never move a step back. They will continue to move forward until they achieve their aims,” Disu said.
The IGP assured the bereaved families that the Police Force would not abandon them, stressing that the sacrifices of officers who died protecting Nigerians would not be forgotten.
“We are not going to ever leave them behind,” he said.
Disu explained that the payment of the outstanding benefits was part of measures being taken to strengthen welfare support for families of police officers who died in the line of duty.
He also disclosed that applications submitted by some families of deceased police officers requesting the recruitment of their relatives into the Nigeria Police Force had been approved.
According to him, the development reflects the commitment of the Police leadership to ensuring that the families left behind by fallen officers continue to receive institutional support.
Also speaking at the memorial, the Commander of the Special Intervention Squad, CP Dr Abayomi Shogunle, described the deceased officers as courageous and highly trained personnel who refused to retreat despite coming under heavy attack.
Shogunle said subsequent battle damage assessments indicated that the suspected bandits also suffered significant casualties during the encounter.
He disclosed that additional bodies of the attackers were recovered from parts of the forest days after the confrontation following reports from residents who noticed vultures in the area.
The SIS commander called on the Police leadership to continue supporting the families of the fallen officers, stressing that adequate welfare was crucial to sustaining the morale of personnel serving in high-risk tactical operations.
He further described the Special Intervention Squad as a highly trained and effective component of the Nigeria Police Force.
“No police unit has achieved what the SIS has achieved. Anything the SIS cannot do, no police unit, I say it with all my chest, no police unit can do it,” Shogunle said.
The IGP also assured Nigerians that the Police Force would sustain its offensive against banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime across the country.
He said the Force would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies, state governments and local communities to confront criminal elements and protect lives and property.
Disu said the Police would remain resolute despite the dangers associated with confronting heavily armed criminal groups.
“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent and we shall not allow the sacrifice of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” the IGP said.
The memorial service ended with prayers for the repose of the souls of the 10 fallen officers and for strength and comfort for their bereaved families.
The Nigeria Police Force said the officers’ sacrifice would remain a lasting reminder of the risks security personnel undertake in the service of the nation, while reaffirming its commitment to improving the welfare and support available to personnel and their families.
