Armed bandits on Thursday launched a deadly attack on security personnel along the Funtua–Gusau highway in Zamfara State, killing eight operatives made up of police officers and members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard. The joint team was reportedly on routine patrol when they were ambushed by a large group of heavily armed criminals who opened fire from strategic positions, resulting in a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes. The attackers were said to have outnumbered the security personnel and later fled into the surrounding forest after the assault.
Governor Dauda Lawal confirmed the tragic incident in a statement issued by his office, describing it as a painful loss to both the state and the families of the slain officers. He expressed condolences to the Nigeria Police Force and the Community Protection Guard while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to intensifying the fight against banditry and all forms of armed criminality in Zamfara. The governor also condemned the rising wave of attacks on security personnel, calling it an attempt by criminal networks to undermine the peace and security of the state.
The attack occurred on the same day gunmen stormed a mosque at Maradawa in Gusau Local Government Area during early morning prayers and abducted several worshippers. Residents who witnessed the incident said the bandits surrounded the mosque around 5 am and ordered worshippers to lie down before taking hostages away on motorcycles. The number of abducted persons had not yet been confirmed as of the time of filing this report, as families were still counting those missing.
Bandit attacks in Zamfara have intensified over the past weeks despite security operations launched by both state and federal forces. Communities across Tsafe, Maru, Maradun, Zurmi, Bungudu and Gusau local government areas continue to suffer frequent invasions, killings, abductions and destruction of property. Only weeks ago, gunmen invaded Yandoto community in Tsafe Local Government Area during evening prayers, killing at least five residents and kidnapping an unspecified number of others.
Police authorities in Zamfara have not yet released an official detailed statement on Thursday’s ambush, but security sources said reinforcement teams have been deployed to comb nearby forests in search of the attackers. The bodies of the slain officers have reportedly been transported to Gusau, the state capital, while an investigation into the incident is underway.
The growing insecurity in Zamfara continues to trigger fear among residents as major highways become increasingly dangerous due to bandit attacks. Farmers in many villages have been displaced, and travellers constantly risk abduction or death on major road networks. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, locals say they are still living under constant threat and are calling for sustained military operations to dismantle the strongholds of the armed groups.