NO fewer than 17 armed bandits were neutralised by operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command and military troops during a fierce gun battle along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway on Monday.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the incident followed a coordinated attack by a large group of bandits who blocked the highway near Unguwar Chida Village, Tsafe Local Government Area, and opened fire on motorists.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the attack occurred at about 4:05pm on August 25, 2026.
The hoodlums intercepted two commercial vehicles, an unregistered Sharon car and a Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA) bus with registration No. LV 94.
The Sharon vehicle, driven by Alh. Halilu Namadi of Taloka Village, Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State, was travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada, FCT. The driver was shot dead, causing the vehicle to somersault. Six passengers, comprising four males and two females, were also killed.
On the SSTA bus, which was conveying 18 passengers to Kaduna and Abuja, one passenger was shot dead, while nine others sustained gunshot injuries. The bandits thereafter abducted eight passengers and fled into the bush.
Hours later, at about 6:45pm, the same group attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA. A 35-year-old man, Lawali Muazu, was hit by a stray bullet and is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Tsafe.
The Divisional Police Officer in Tsafe mobilised the Police Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to evacuate victims to the hospital, while the corpses were deposited at the mortuary.
In a swift follow-up operation, joint police and military operatives trailed the fleeing bandits to the Funtua–Gusau highway, where they were attempting to loot a trailer carrying food items.
“On sighting the security forces, the bandits attempted to flee. The operatives engaged them and neutralised 17 bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries,” the statement said.
The Command said the VCRU and military teams are intensifying search-and-rescue operations to locate and free the abducted passengers.
The Commissioner of Police directed personnel to sustain aggressive clearance operations along identified bandit routes and hideouts.
Joint patrols involving the Police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have also been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable areas.
“The security situation in the affected areas is presently under control. We urge residents and commuters to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security formation,” DSP Abubakar stated.