Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Victims on Zamfara Highway
Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command have successfully rescued five abducted women and children after engaging and repelling a group of armed bandits. The incident occurred on Thursday, 2 January 2026, along the critical Dansadau–Gusau highway.
According to a statement from the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the police team was on a confidence-building patrol when they encountered distressed travellers. The motorists and commuters had been blocked on the road by the armed criminals.
Swift Response Saves Lives
The police operatives swiftly engaged the bandits in a gun duel upon sighting them. The superior firepower forced the assailants to retreat into the nearby bush, abandoning their victims. It is believed the criminals sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange.
Investigation at the scene revealed that the bandits had earlier abducted the women and children who were travelling from Wanke District to Gusau. They were in the process of taking them into the bush when the police intervention occurred.
The five rescued victims were safely conveyed in a police vehicle to Gusau. They received prompt medical attention and were subsequently reunited with their relieved families.
Commissioner Reaffirms Commitment to Security
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, used the opportunity to reassure the public of the command's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Zamfara. He also urged citizens to continue their support by providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid in preventing such crimes.
This successful ground operation comes on the heels of recent aerial bombardments targeting bandit enclaves in the state.
Recent Airstrikes Degrade Bandit Networks
Recall that just last week, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted two precision air strikes on bandit hideouts in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operations were executed under the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 2.
The strikes, based on credible intelligence, targeted:
- Turba Hill, a major confirmed bandit hideout where a key operational structure was destroyed.
- A camp linked to a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Dogo Sule, identified as a key hub for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and coordinating attacks.
Ejodame stated that the precision strikes resulted in the complete destruction of the targeted facilities and the neutralization of several bandits. The operations have significantly degraded the group's capacity to manufacture and deploy IEDs, particularly along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis.
These combined efforts by the police and the air force represent a continued push to deny criminal elements safe havens and degrade their operational capabilities across Nigeria's North-West region.
