Three kidnapped victims have been rescued by operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command following a successful operation along the Gurusu–Anka Road.
According to a statement sined by the Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, at about 4:00 p.m. on June 13, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit responded to a distress call reporting that heavily armed bandits had blocked the road and abducted three travellers heading from Bukuyum to Talata Mafara.
The Police immediately mobilised and trailed the kidnappers into a nearby forest, where a gun battle ensued.
The bandits were eventually overpowered and forced to flee into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
As a result of the operation, all three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.
In a related development, the Zamfara State Police Command says it has successfully averted a potential terrorist attack by uncovering and destroying an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) allegedly planted by bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
According to the statement, operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, discovered and safely detonated the explosive device along the Kunchin Kalgo axis of Tsafe Local Government Area.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the IED was strategically planted by suspected bandits to inflict mass casualties on innocent commuters and other road users.
The Command noted that through its strengthened community engagement strategy and effective collaboration with local residents, credible intelligence was received on time, enabling operatives to swiftly respond and neutralise the threat before any loss of life or property occurred.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
Editor: Ada Ononye
