Bandits Kill Eight Police Officers in Zamfara Ambush

Bandits Kill Five Police Officers in Sokoto-Zamfara Highway Ambush

Suspected bandits have killed Eight police officers and injured five others after ambushing security personnel travelling from Sokoto State to Zamfara State for an election-related assignment.

The attack occurred on Sunday, November 1, along the Gidan Kano–Kwanar Sado axis of the Gusau–Sokoto highway, around Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The officers were travelling in a Zamfara State mass transit bus when armed men reportedly intercepted them and opened fire.

They were deployed from the Zone 10 Police Command in Sokoto to provide security for the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Zamfara North Senatorial District in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The spokesperson for the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 10, DSP Abdullahi Faruk, confirmed the deaths of five officers and said their remains had been deposited at the morgue of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

A police situation report obtained by Afrika Eyes identified the deceased as Assistant Superintendent of Police Lawali Garba, Inspectors Tukur Abubakar and Abubakar Garba, Officer on Patrol Abdurrahman Sanusi, and Corporal Yazid Gambo.

The report also listed five officers as injured and stated that four service rifles were missing following the attack.

However, reports about the total number of security personnel killed and the possibility of abductions remain conflicting. While police sources confirmed five officer fatalities, local vigilante officials told Reuters that at least eight security personnel were killed. Other reports also alleged that some personnel were taken away by the attackers.

Videos circulating online showed a damaged white-and-green mass transit bus, scattered belongings and the bodies of some officers inside the vehicle. The footage also showed the extent of the attack, although the circumstances surrounding individual casualties have not been independently established from the videos.

The ambush has renewed concerns about the safety of security personnel and travellers along the Gusau–Sokoto highway, a route that has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups.

Police authorities have confirmed an investigation into the incident, while further official details on the attack and the whereabouts of any missing personnel are awaited.