By Festus Fifen

In a solemn and emotional memorial gathering at the Force Headquarters on Monday, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, issued a powerful message of hope to the families of ten fallen officers who lost their lives in Kebbi State.

The 10 officers who were members of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), were killed on August 10, 2026, during a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis in Kebbi State.

While the encounter resulted in the neutralization of 17 bandits, the cost of victory was steep, leaving ten families without their breadwinners.

Addressing the grieving families directly, IGP Disu emphasized that the sacrifice made by the officers—who died defending the Zamfara-Kebbi border—would be met with unwavering institutional support.

In his words, “Behind every fallen officer is a family that has lost a husband, father, son, or brother,” the IGP stated. “To the families of our fallen heroes, I extend my deepest condolences. We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we will not abandon you.”

The Police Chief underscored that the Force is remains “resolutely committed” to ensuring that the welfare of the survivors is prioritized and that the memories of the deceased are preserved through action, not just words.

The memorial served as a stark reminder of the daily risks faced by personnel. The August 10th operation saw the SIS team intercept a bandit group moving between states. Despite the tragic loss of ten officers and two civilians, the team managed to repel the attackers, destroying their logistics and inflicting heavy casualties on the criminal elements the IGP said.

“Their service is a solemn reminder that the security of our nation comes at a cost,” Disu told the gathering. “These gallant officers died doing what they swore an oath to do—to serve, to protect, and to defend.”

While the focus remained on the welfare of the bereaved, IGP Disu used the platform to send a clear message to criminal groups. He assured the nation that the loss of these men has only strengthened the Force’s resolve to crush banditry and terrorism.

“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifices of our fallen heroes to be in vain,” he declared, affirming that the hunt for the remaining criminal elements continues unabated.

IGP Disu also used the medium to assure Families of slain officers that President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of backlog of entitlements to the families of slain police men which will be paid to them soon , while also announcing automatic employment into the Nigeria Police Force for children of these slain officers who are interested in joining the Force.

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At the peak of today’s event, the message was clear; while the nation mourns its defenders, the Nigeria Police Force views the care of their families as a sacred, non-negotiable duty while also assuring that the fight against crime and criminality will not suffer any setback.