The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued five kidnap victims, including three children, and recovered an AK-47 rifle and a Boxer motorcycle during separate anti-banditry operations across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Wednesday, saying the operations were part of the Command’s sustained offensive against banditry and other violent crimes.
According to the statement, armed bandits at about 10:30 a.m. on July 22 blocked the Gummi–Sokoto Road and intercepted a Golf vehicle with registration number BE 654 ANC (Kaduna), abducting its occupants.
Following a distress call, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. The attackers reportedly fled into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot injuries after they were overpowered by the police.
The operation led to the successful rescue of Hauwa’u Saidu, Hauwa’u Umaru, and their three children, all of whom were unharmed. The victims were taken to a medical facility for examination before being reunited with their families.
In a separate operation conducted around 10:00 a.m. on the same day, a police patrol team on confidence-building patrol along the Kaura Namoda–Gusau Road encountered suspected armed bandits.
The operatives engaged the criminals in another gun duel, forcing them to flee into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and a Boxer motorcycle believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down the suspects, recover additional weapons, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Commending the operatives for their bravery, the Commissioner of Police, CP A. M. Bello, PSC+, mnips, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Zamfara State.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
