Eight Zamfara travellers killed, others abducted in highway attack

Gunmen have killed eight travellers and abducted eight others after attacking two commercial vehicles along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The spokesperson for the state Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, who confirmed the attack and killings in a statement on Wednesday, said 17 bandits were killed during an exchange of fire with security operatives. He noted that the casualties occurred after a swift response by the police to a coordinated attack by a large group of armed bandits along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway, near Unguwar Chida Village, Tsafe LGA, at about 4:05pm on Tuesday. The statement read, “On 25 August 2026, at about 1605hrs, the Command received a report that heavily armed bandits had blocked the highway and opened indiscriminate fire on motorists and passengers.” Disclosing details of the attack, Abubakar explained that the hoodlums intercepted two commercial vehicles during the incident. He said one was an unregistered Sharon vehicle driven by Halilu Namadi, of Taloka Village, Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State, who was travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada, while the other was a Sokoto State Transport Authority bus, registration No. LV 94, driven by Sanusi Musa, a staff member of the SSTA Sokoto Branch, and conveying 18 passengers towards Kaduna and Abuja. “During the attack, the Sharon vehicle driver was shot dead, causing the vehicle to lose control, somersault and veer off the road. Six passengers, comprising four males and two females, were also fatally shot. “Similarly, one male passenger aboard the SSTA bus was shot dead, while nine (9) other passengers sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries. Eight passengers were abducted by the bandits to an undisclosed location,” the statement read. Abubakar said that upon receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Tsafe, swiftly mobilised and led the Police Violence Crime Response Unit team to the scene. “The deceased and injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where the injured victims are receiving medical treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary pending identification and contact with their relatives.” While the community thought it had seen enough, Abubakar said the same group of armed bandits attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA at about 6:45pm on the same day, where one person sustained a gunshot wound. “During the attack, a stray bullet struck one Lawali Muazu (m), aged 35 years, of Magazu Village. He was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” the command noted. Reacting to the fresh attack through a follow-up operation, Abubakar noted that a combined force of police and military operatives trailed the “fleeing bandits to the Funtua–Gusau Federal Highway, where the hoodlums attempted to intercept and loot a trailer conveying food items. “On sighting the approaching security forces, the bandits attempted to flee. The operatives engaged them in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of 17 bandits, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. “The police VCRU team and the military in Tsafe are currently intensifying efforts to trail and apprehend the fleeing members of the criminal group and rescue the abducted passengers.” The command noted that the security situation in the affected areas was under control. “Joint patrols comprising the Police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been strategically deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations to prevent further attacks and safeguard the lives and property of motorists and commuters. “The joint security teams are also conducting aggressive clearance operations towards identified hideouts and routes being used by the criminal elements,” the statement added. The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Bello, further directed the operatives to sustain the ongoing search-and-rescue operations with renewed determination, with a view to rescuing the abducted passengers and bringing the fleeing bandits to justice. “The command reassures residents and commuters that every necessary operational measure is being taken to restore and maintain lasting security along the affected corridor. “The command also urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station or other security formation,” the statement added.