Eight travellers killed, eight abducted in Zamfara 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 state police command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the attack in a statement on Wednesday, saying 17 bandits were also killed during an exchange of fire with security operatives.

Abubakar said the incident occurred at about 4:05pm on Tuesday, August 25, when a large group of armed bandits attacked motorists near Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe LGA.

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.”

According to the police, the attackers intercepted two commercial vehicles during the incident.

One was an unregistered Sharon vehicle driven by Halilu Namadi of Taloka Village, Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State, who was travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada.

The second vehicle was a Sokoto State Transport Authority bus, registration number 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 the Divisional Police Officer, Tsafe, immediately mobilised the Police Violence Crime Response Unit team to the scene after receiving the distress call.

“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.”

Abubakar said the same group of bandits later attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA at about 6:45pm, leaving one person injured by a stray bullet.

“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 said.

Following the attack, a combined team of police and military operatives pursued the fleeing bandits towards the Funtua–Gusau Federal Highway, where they attempted to intercept and loot a trailer carrying 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 said the security situation in the affected areas was under control.

It added that joint patrols involving the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes had been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations.

“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, directed security operatives to sustain the search-and-rescue operation and intensify efforts to locate the abducted passengers and apprehend the fleeing attackers.

“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.

A similar attack on August 2 resulted in the death of a Nigerian Army officer and a police officer after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA repelled a terrorist attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The troops also rescued nine abducted civilians during the pursuit of the fleeing attackers.