No fewer than 98 police officers were killed in various incidents across 21 states between January and October 2026, according to data compiled from media reports and confirmed by police authorities.
The deaths were recorded in attacks by bandits, gunmen and terrorist groups, as well as road crashes, shootings by fellow officers and other violent incidents.
Yobe recorded the highest number of police fatalities with 17 officers killed, followed by Zamfara and Kebbi with 14 deaths each. 
Katsina recorded five deaths, while Borno and Taraba recorded four each. Rivers, Sokoto, Plateau, Enugu, Lagos and Imo recorded three fatalities each.
Oyo, Anambra, Abia, Kaduna and Kogi recorded two deaths each, while Adamawa, Kano and Niger recorded one each.
A breakdown of the figures showed that bandit attacks accounted for 35 deaths, while gunmen killed 29 officers and Boko Haram terrorists were responsible for 22 deaths. Two officers were also killed in attacks attributed to Lakurawa terrorists.
Other fatalities included three officers allegedly shot by fellow policemen, four killed in road incidents involving accidents and hit-and-run drivers, and one each killed by kidnappers, hoodlums and thugs.
10 Kebbi officers killed in bandit attack
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Kebbi State, where 10 police officers were killed during a gun battle with bandits at the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area on August 10.
The police said the incident occurred at about 9:25 a.m. when operatives intercepted suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.
According to the police, 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.
17 officers killed in Yobe
In Yobe State, 17 police officers were reportedly killed during an attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi on May 16.
The officers were undergoing specialised operational training at the facility when militants launched a coordinated attack from multiple directions.
The then police spokesman, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying several soldiers were also killed, although he did not disclose the number of military casualties.
Four policemen killed in Benue
Benue State also recorded several attacks, including the killing of four policemen during a gun duel with gunmen at Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area on September 10.
The state police command said the officers fought back against the attackers and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the gunmen to retreat into the surrounding forest.
The slain officers were identified as Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
The command said their bodies were recovered from surrounding bushes during search and rescue operations.
Seven civilians were also killed in the attack, with their bodies recovered and deposited at a mortuary, according to the police.
Officers killed by colleagues
The data also recorded cases of police officers allegedly killed by fellow officers.
In January, Inspector Sani Malumfashi was allegedly shot dead by a fellow police officer at Intels, Onne, in Rivers State.
In October, Corporal Amos Yusuf reportedly shot his colleague, Corporal Grace Onimisi, dead at their residence in Asco Camp, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, before allegedly taking his own life.
The figures highlight the continuing risks faced by police personnel across several parts of the country, particularly in states affected by banditry, terrorism and armed attacks.
