Two police officers have tragically lost their lives while fighting bandits suspected to be members of the Lakurawa sect in Kebbi State, northern Nigeria. The incident, which has left the local community in mourning, occurred during an intense confrontation between the police and the bandits. The report of the incident was released in a statement by the Kebbi State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Abubakar, on Saturday, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
According to the statement, the gunfight took place on Friday when the police, having received reports of a cattle rustling operation, confronted the armed bandits. The police had been alerted to the presence of the bandits, who were suspected of being members of the notorious Lakurawa group, notorious for their involvement in various criminal activities across the region. The confrontation occurred in the early hours of January 3, 2025, at approximately 0100hrs.
The bandits, riding on motorcycles, had invaded Alhaji Lawal Block Farm and surrounding Fulani settlements in Natsini village, located along the Argungu/Kangiwa road. They were reported to have rustled an unspecified number of cows from the area. Upon receiving the distress call, a team from the Police Safer Highway Patrol swiftly responded to the scene, aiming to thwart the bandits' criminal activity.
In a dramatic gun battle that ensued, the police officers engaged the bandits, who retaliated fiercely. Despite the heavy exchange of fire, the police were successful in forcing the bandits to retreat into the surrounding forest. The pursuit continued, and some of the stolen cattle were recovered, but the bandits managed to escape, though they sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
Regrettably, during this intense exchange, two police officers were killed. The police spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over their loss, stating that the officers had made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their duty to protect the people of Kebbi State from criminal elements. The identities of the fallen officers were not immediately disclosed in the statement.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by authorities in northern Nigeria, where banditry and cattle rustling remain rampant in rural areas. While the police have made significant efforts to combat these crimes, the loss of officers serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by security personnel working in these volatile regions.
The statement concluded with a call for continued vigilance and support for law enforcement officers as they carry out their mission to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice, while the families of the fallen officers were assured of support during this difficult time.
“On the 3rd January 2025, at about 0100hrs, armed hoodlums suspected to be Lakurawa bandits on motorcycles invaded Alhaji Lawal Block Farm and nearby Fulani settlements located at Natsini village, along Argungu/Kangiwa road and rustled unspecified number of cows,” the statement read.
“On receipt of the report, a team of Police Safer Highway patrol immediately rushed to the scene, engaged the bandits in a gun duel, pursued them, forcing the bandits to escape into the forest with gunshot wounds and successfully recovered some of the rustled cows.”
“Regrettably, two police officers lost their lives during the encounter.”
