The Zamfara State Police Command says its operatives have rescued five kidnapped victims, including three children, and recovered an AK-47 rifle and a Boxer motorcycle during separate anti-bandit operations in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the statement, armed bandits blocked the Gummi–Sokoto Road at about 10:30 a.m. on July 22, intercepted a Golf vehicle with registration number BE 654 ANC (Kaduna) and abducted its occupants.
The statement said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) swiftly responded after receiving a distress call. On sighting the police team, the bandits reportedly opened fire, prompting a gun battle.
The police, however, overpowered the attackers, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot wounds while abandoning the victims.
The rescued victims, identified as Hauwa’u Saidu, Hauwa’u Umaru and their three children, were taken to a medical facility for examination before being reunited with their families.
In a separate operation carried out the same day along the Kaura Namoda–Gusau Road, police officers on routine patrol encountered another group of suspected bandits.
The suspects engaged the operatives in a gun duel but fled into nearby bushes after being overwhelmed.
A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and a Boxer motorcycle, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover more weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, CP A. M. Bello, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Zamfara State and appealed to residents to continue providing credible and timely information to support the fight against banditry.
