The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that a group of armed bandits carried out an attack on a “Mobile Police Post” located in Makuku, within the Zuru Local Government Area, seizing several rifles in the process.
This was revealed to journalists on Saturday by the Director of Security at the Cabinet Office, Abdulrahman Zagga.
Zagga explained that the “mobile police post,” staffed by visiting personnel, was heavily assaulted by a large number of armed bandits. Although the officers engaged them in a shootout, they were ultimately outnumbered and overpowered.
“The bandits burned a Toyota Hilux patrol vehicle belonging to the unit and escaped with an undisclosed number of rifles,” he stated.
He clarified that contrary to some reports, it was not a police station that was targeted but a “temporary mobile police post.” Due to the sheer number of attackers, the mobile unit was compelled to withdraw.
Zagga further disclosed that the state government promptly sought aerial reinforcement from the Nigerian Air Force upon learning of the incident, which led to the retreat of the bandits.
“No casualties were recorded during the incident,” Zagga noted, adding that the majority of the attackers had infiltrated from neighboring Zamfara and Niger States.
He pointed out that Makuku village lies along the border with Niger State, making it particularly susceptible to such incursions.
Zagga also stressed that, unlike some of its neighbors, Kebbi State has no form of peace agreement with any bandit groups or their leaders.
“Once they demand money from a community and it is paid, the bandits may temporarily leave that community alone. But once the money runs out, they move on to another community to extort. That’s why many communities remain in constant fear,” he added.