The Zamfara State Police Command says its operatives, in collaboration with the military, have neutralised 17 bandits following an attack on motorists and passengers along the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred on 25 August 2026 at about 4:05 p.m. near Unguwar Chida Village, when a large group of heavily armed bandits reportedly blocked the highway and opened fire on motorists and passengers.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the bandits intercepted two commercial vehicles: a Sharon vehicle and a Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA) bus.
The Sharon vehicle, driven by Alhaji Halilu Namadi of Taloka Village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory.
The SSTA bus, with registration number LV 94, was driven by Sanusi Musa, a staff member of the SSTA Sokoto Branch, and was conveying 18 passengers towards Kaduna and Abuja.
The statement said the Sharon vehicle driver was shot dead during the attack, causing the vehicle to lose control, somersault and veer off the road.
Six passengers, four males and two females, were also killed in the attack.
Similarly, one male passenger aboard the SSTA bus was shot dead, while nine others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Eight passengers were reportedly abducted by the bandits and taken to an undisclosed location.
Following the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Tsafe, mobilised and led the Police Violence Crime Response Unit, VCRU, team to the scene.
The deceased and injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where the injured are receiving treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary pending identification and contact with their relatives.
The statement further said that at about 6:45 p.m. the same day, the bandits attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe Local Government Area, where a stray bullet hit 35-year-old Lawali Muazu.
“Muazu was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he is receiving medical treatment.”
In a follow-up operation, police and military operatives reportedly trailed the fleeing bandits to the Funtua-Gusau Federal Highway, where the criminals attempted to intercept and loot a trailer conveying food items.
On sighting the approaching security forces, the bandits attempted to flee but were engaged in a gun battle.
The police said 17 bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
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The Police VCRU team and military personnel in Tsafe are continuing efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the criminal group and rescue the abducted passengers.
The Command said the security situation in the affected areas is currently under control, adding that joint patrols involving the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations.
Clearance Operations
It said the security teams are also conducting clearance operations towards identified hideouts and routes allegedly being used by the criminals.
The Commissioner of Police has directed the operatives to sustain the search-and-rescue operations with renewed determination to secure the release of the abducted passengers and bring the fleeing bandits to justice.
The Command has reassured residents and commuters that all necessary operational measures are being taken to restore and maintain lasting security along the affected corridor.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security formation.
