Bandits kill eight security officers in Zamfara ambush
Tragedy struck in Zamfara State on Thursday evening when bandits ambushed and killed five police officers and three members of the Community Protection Guards (CPGs) who were on patrol along the Gusau Funtuwa road in Tsafe Local Government Area. The attack, which took place near Gidan-Giye village, a few kilometres from Tsafe town, has once again thrown the state into mourning and raised concerns about the worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria.
Although the Zamfara State Police Command has not yet released an official statement, Governor Dauda Lawal confirmed the killings in a Facebook post late Thursday night. Expressing deep sorrow, the governor wrote, “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. I have received a sad report that police officers and Askarawa were killed on the Funtuwa road to Gusau. May Allah rest their souls and grant their families the strength to bear this loss. We continue to pray for an end to this crisis in Zamfara, the North, and Nigeria.”
According to residents, the slain officers were on a routine patrol aimed at ensuring the safety of travellers along the road, which has become notorious for frequent bandit attacks. The patrol team, comprising police personnel and community protection guards, had reportedly set out from Gusau, the state capital, earlier in the evening. Their mission was to monitor security conditions and discourage the presence of armed gangs who often block roads, kidnap travellers, and extort money from residents.
Eyewitnesses said the ambush was sudden and well-coordinated. One of them, Ya’u Musa, who lives near Gidan-Giye village, told reporters that the bandits emerged unexpectedly from the surrounding bush and opened heavy fire on the patrol vehicle. “The attack happened very fast,” he said. “The security men were driving past when the bandits came out from their hiding spots and started shooting. All the officers in the vehicle were killed instantly.”
Musa added that the attackers appeared to have prior knowledge of the patrol movement. “It looked like the bandits knew they were coming,” he said. “These officers had come from the government house in Gusau on a special assignment to make the road safe for travellers. Not long after they left Tsafe, we started hearing gunshots. It didn’t take long before we realized they had been ambushed.”
The gunmen, estimated to be in large numbers, reportedly rode on motorcycles, a common practice among bandits operating in the North-West. After the ambush, they fled into the nearby forest before reinforcements could arrive. Residents who later visited the scene described it as horrifying, with the patrol vehicle riddled with bullet holes. “It was a shocking sight,” another resident said. “The whole place was littered with bullet shells, and the vehicle was completely damaged.”
Following the attack, the bodies of the eight slain officers were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau. Security sources said additional personnel have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests in search of the attackers, but no arrests have been reported as of Friday morning. The area remains tense, with many locals fearful that the bandits might strike again.
Zamfara State, one of the regions worst affected by banditry in Nigeria, has seen repeated attacks on both civilians and security operatives over the years. Despite several military operations and peace efforts, the violence continues to claim lives and disrupt economic activities. The Gusau–Funtuwa road, in particular, has long been identified as one of the most dangerous routes in the state, with many commuters either avoiding it or travelling in groups for safety.
Read also: Kano govt sues ex-governor Ganduje, sons for ‘taking’ state’s stake in Dala dry port
Thursday’s attack adds to the growing number of violent incidents targeting security personnel in the region. Analysts say such assaults demonstrate the boldness of the bandits and highlight the enormous challenges faced by security agencies. The killing of uniformed officers also raises concerns about intelligence leaks, as the attackers appeared to know when and where the patrol team would pass.
Residents have called on the federal and state governments to intensify security operations and ensure that the killers are brought to justice. “We are tired of living in fear,” said a trader in Tsafe. “Almost every week, there are attacks. Sometimes they kidnap people, sometimes they kill. The government must do more to protect us.”
Governor Lawal, in his message, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting banditry and restoring peace in Zamfara. He urged residents to remain calm while assuring them that the state government was working closely with security agencies to address the situation. “We will not give up,” he wrote. “The safety of our people and our security personnel remains our top priority.”
Read also: The Nigerian standing between U.S. and China
The killings have also sparked grief among law enforcement officers in the state. A police officer, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment, described the deaths as heartbreaking. “These were our colleagues who risked their lives to protect others,” he said. “It is painful to lose them like this. Every time we step out for patrol, we know the risks, but we cannot abandon our duty.”
