In a significant breakthrough, joint security forces comprising the Zamfara State Police Command and military personnel have rescued a kidnapped staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and successfully repelled coordinated bandit attacks across three local government areas. The operations took place in Gummi, Talata Mafara, and Gusau Local Government Areas, following a series of violent assaults by heavily armed bandits.
Bandits Attack Villages, Rustle Hundreds of Cattle
According to DSP Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, the incident began on July 7, 2026, when a large group of armed bandits riding on approximately 50 motorcycles stormed villages in the Ruwan Bore District of Talata Mafara Local Government Area. During the attack, the criminals rustled hundreds of cattle. A woman sustained a gunshot injury from a stray bullet and was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Talata Mafara, where she is currently receiving medical treatment.
The attackers then advanced toward Gummi Local Government Area, where they abducted Mr. Aliyu Mohammed, an INEC staff member who was on official assignment with the National Examinations Council (NECO). The victim had transported examination scripts collected from secondary schools in Gummi to Sokoto before he was intercepted and kidnapped along the Gummi–Sokoto Road.
Abandoned Vehicle and Examination Scripts Recovered
Security sources reported that the victim’s official white Toyota Hilux vehicle, with registration number FG 853-V01, was later found abandoned at Tafkin Area. Police operatives from Gummi Division responded promptly, recovered the abandoned vehicle, and secured the examination scripts. The scripts were subsequently handed over to the Principal of Government Unity Secondary School, Gummi, Mr. Ashiru Umar, for onward transmission to the appropriate NECO office in Sokoto.
Intelligence Leads to Fierce Gun Battle
Following intelligence that a large concentration of armed bandits had regrouped inside Gando Forest after inviting reinforcements from neighboring Sokoto and Kebbi States to retaliate against recent security operations, the Zamfara State Police Command deployed its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to reinforce military troops already conducting operations in the area. The combined security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle that began at about 2:45 a.m. on July 8.
The superior firepower of the joint force overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to flee into the forest with significant casualties, while several escaped with gunshot wounds. During the operation, the kidnapped INEC official and another abducted victim were rescued unhurt. Hundreds of rustled cattle were also recovered and reunited with their rightful owners.
Second Rescue Operation in Gusau
In a related operation on July 8 at about 9:55 a.m., security operatives responded to a distress call reporting the abduction of several motorists and farmers at Kwanar Ganuwa in Gusau Local Government Area. Personnel of the VCRU, supported by the Police Mobile Force (PMF), engaged the bandits in a gun battle, compelling them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest. The victims were successfully rescued without harm and taken to safety.
Police Command Reaffirms Commitment
The Zamfara State Police Command has recorded another major operational success following coordinated tactical operations by its personnel, leading to the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of rustled livestock, and the disruption of coordinated bandit attacks in Gummi, Talata Mafara, and Gusau Local Government Areas of the State, the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, Cp A.M Bello psc +,mnips further reassured the good people of Zamfara State that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining aggressive operations against all forms of criminality and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities.
