Abuja, Nigeria – An investigation by Daily Trust has revealed that at least 229 officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) were killed between January 2023 and October 2024 in violent attacks across the country.
These officers fell victim to bandits, armed robbers, cultists, Boko Haram insurgents, and other criminal groups, while some were killed by mobs during incidents of jungle justice.
Statistics of the Losses
The data shows that 118 police officers were killed in 2023, and 111 more have died in the first 10 months of 2024. In 2023 alone, violence claimed the lives of 12 officers in January, with an additional seven killed in February in states like Imo, Nasarawa, Edo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Niger, and Delta.
The killings escalated in March and April 2023, claiming the lives of 11 and 23 officers respectively. Notable incidents during this period include the killing of six officers by bandits in Kebbi on April 30 and the death of five officers in an attack by gunmen in Imo on April 21.
Between May and July 2023, 31 police officers were killed, with 17 deaths recorded in May alone. The violence persisted into the latter half of the year, with 22 officers killed in Benue State from August to December.
In 2024, the killings have continued unabated. January saw the deaths of 15 officers, with seven of these killings occurring in Delta State. In February, 13 officers were reportedly killed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Hoodlums in Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, and Edo states killed 10 officers in March.
Lynching of Lagos Officer Highlights Jungle Justice
One of the most recent cases occurred in October 2024, when Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustine Osupayi was lynched by a mob in Agege, Lagos State. The officer was attacked while attempting to intervene in a case of jungle justice.
Reactions from Police Officers
Some officers interviewed expressed their grief over the loss of their colleagues but affirmed their commitment to duty.
“Of course, it is very unfortunate that some of our colleagues were killed by criminals. But all of us in the Force are aware of the challenges of our job. There are occupational hazards everywhere; ours is pronounced because of its nature,” said one officer.
Another officer, Abdul, remarked, “Anybody that dies while serving his fatherland dies as a hero. This will not stop us from doing our work.”
Another officer, Ndifrike, emphasized the importance of supporting the families of fallen officers. “They should take care of our family members and children when we are no more. Many of us are still committed to serving Nigeria and Nigerians no matter what happens,” he said.
Security Experts Call for Better Support
Security expert Abdullahi Garba has urged Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to equip officers with modern policing tools to better protect themselves. “Fighting criminals like bandits and armed robbers is serious business. IGP Kayode Egbetokun should fortify his men with modern equipment,” he said.
Another expert, Silas Daves, highlighted issues of internal sabotage. “Officers are sometimes ambushed because some of their colleagues share information about their movements with criminals. Those bad eggs in the police should stop working with criminals,” he alleged. Daves also stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering within the Force.
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