10 Nigerian police killed in Kebbi bandit clashes

Ten Nigerian police officers were killed in dawn clashes with a large group of armed men in Kebbi State on Tuesday, police said.

Kebbi State police spokesman Bashir Usman said security forces intercepted suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states in Rafin Makuku, in Sakaba local government area.

Usman said two civilians and 17 suspected bandits were also killed, bringing the reported death toll to nearly 30. He said two police officers were injured and were receiving medical treatment, and that final figures were still being assessed.

Police said the armed group had been trying to attack Rafin Makuku.

Resident Ahmad Sani told AFP that attackers arrived by the hundreds on motorbikes before exchanging gunfire with police. Ibrahim Ngaski, an official from the Kebbi State chapter of the Red Cross, also said at least 10 police officers had been killed.

Northwestern and central Nigerian states have faced repeated raids by armed criminal gangs locally known as bandits, who carry out cattle rustling and kidnappings for ransom.