Gunmen Kill Eight Travellers, Abduct Others in Zamfara

Gunmen have killed eight travellers and taken eight more after attacking two commercial vehicles on the Gusau, Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the attack and killings in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday. He said security operatives killed 17 bandits during a shootout following the attack.

According to Abubakar, the attack happened when police quickly responded to a coordinated attack by a large group of armed bandits on the highway near Unguwar Chida Village at about 4:05 PM on Tuesday.

The statement said, "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."

Abubakar explained that the bandits stopped two commercial vehicles during the attack. One was an unregistered Sharon vehicle driven by Halilu Namadi from Taloka Village in Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State. He was travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada. The other was a Sokoto State Transport Authority bus, registration No. LV 94, driven by Sanusi Musa, an employee of SSTA, carrying 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, four males and two females, were also fatally shot.

“Similarly, one male passenger aboard the SSTA bus was shot dead, while nine other passengers sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries. Eight passengers were abducted by the bandits to an undisclosed location," the statement read.

Abubakar said after getting the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Tsafe, quickly 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. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the mortuary for identification and contact with their relatives."

While the community was still in shock, Abubakar said the same group of bandits attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA at about 6:45 PM on the same day. One person was shot in this attack.

"During the attack, a stray bullet struck one Lawali Muazu, aged 35, of Magazu Village. He was taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he is receiving medical care," the command noted.

In response to the new attack, Abubakar said a combined team of police and military operatives chased the fleeing bandits to the Funtua, Gusau Federal Highway. The bandits tried to intercept and loot a trailer carrying food items.

“When they saw the approaching security forces, the bandits tried to escape. The operatives engaged them in a gun battle, resulting in the death of 17 bandits. Several others sustained gunshot injuries.

“The police VCRU team and the military in Tsafe are working hard to catch the fleeing bandits and rescue the abducted passengers,” he said.

The command reported that the security situation in the affected areas is now under control.

"Joint patrols involving the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters, and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable spots to prevent further attacks and protect the lives and property of motorists and commuters.

“The joint security teams are also conducting aggressive clearance operations towards identified hideouts and routes used by the criminals," the statement added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Bello, has instructed operatives to keep up the search-and-rescue operations to save the abducted passengers and bring the fleeing bandits to justice.

“The command assures residents and commuters that all necessary operational measures are being taken to restore and maintain security along the affected corridor. The command also urges the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or security unit,” the statement concluded.