ARMED bandits staged a brazen attack on Wednesday night in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, abducting two councillors and an Imam while disarming police officers stationed nearby.
News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred at about 8:05pm. in Tsauni community, close to a police outpost, shortly after Maghrib prayers.
Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Hon. Sanusi Gama Giwa, confirmed the abduction, identifying the victims as two serving councillors representing Gidan Goga and Tsibiri wards, alongside a local Imam.
According to Giwa, the victims were seated with others at a tea joint when the bandits struck.
“This happened right in front of a police station where officers were on duty.
“Shockingly, the bandits collected phones from the policemen without resistance before seizing their targets,” he revealed.
The council chairman explained that the armed group initially came looking for a man from Kaura village. When they failed to locate him, they abducted six men from the tea joint. Three were later released, while the councillors and Imam were taken away.
Tsauni community has in the past hosted several internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing banditry in nearby villages. The latest attack has further heightened concerns over the vulnerability of communities across Zamfara State.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying a rescue operation was already underway.
Police Spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told journalists via telephone: “We have deployed operatives to the area, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“We urge residents to support us with credible information to aid our operations.”
As of press time, the abductors had yet to establish contact with the families of the abducted councillors and Imam, nor had any ransom demands been made.
