Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force, on Monday, August 24, 2026, held a solemn memorial service at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour the memory of 10 gallant officers of the Special Intervention Squad who were killed in the line of duty during a fierce encounter with suspected bandits in Kebbi State. The officers, who were members of the SIS, lost their lives on August 10, 2026, while engaging a heavily armed group of bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi States along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area. The service, which featured prayers and tributes from senior officers, colleagues and bereaved families, served as a stark reminder of the immense sacrifices made by security personnel in the ongoing battle to secure the nation's troubled North-West region.
The fallen officers were among the elite SIS personnel who engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, resulting in significant losses to the attackers, though the exact number of bandits neutralised was not disclosed. In his remarks, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu described the fallen officers as gallant personnel who paid the supreme price while defending lives and property. "The sacrifices of these brave officers will never be forgotten," Disu declared, extending the Force's deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and assuring them of continued support. The IGP stressed that the Force would not be intimidated by the loss of its personnel and would sustain its fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent criminality. "The sacrifices of the fallen heroes will not be allowed to be in vain," he said.
CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commander of the Special Intervention Squad, provided further details on the operation, revealing that subsequent operational assessments had indicated that the losses inflicted on the attackers were significantly higher than initially assessed. Shogunle urged personnel to maintain high morale and continue the fight with the same courage and determination demonstrated by their fallen colleagues. The memorial service underscored the immense human cost of the campaign against banditry, with the families of the slain officers gathering to mourn their loved ones. Grace Bala Buba, daughter of one of the fallen officers, expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for honouring their loved ones and for the support extended to the families during their time of grief.
The SIS, established in February 2026 as part of the Inspector-General's strategic vision, was designed to serve as a specialised rapid-response unit to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other emerging threats. The officers who died in the Kebbi operation were among the first wave of personnel recruited for this elite squad, drawn from tactical units across the country. Their deaths in the line of duty highlight the significant risks faced by the SIS in targeting criminal networks operating across state borders. The Kebbi encounter was described by a police source as one of the most intense engagements involving the SIS, with the officers fighting with "courage and determination" in defence of national security.
The attack in Kebbi came amid escalating violence across the North-West, where armed groups have intensified attacks on security forces and communities. The IGP has ordered a review of the operational strategies, including intelligence gathering and deployment patterns, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and ensure that the sacrifices of the fallen officers are not in vain. The memorial service served as a powerful moment of national reflection on the sacrifices of the fallen officers and the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in Nigeria's troubled North-West. As the tears dried and the last prayers were said, the message was clear: the fight against banditry would continue, and the legacy of the 10 fallen heroes would inspire the Force to press on.
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