The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the death of five police officers following a fierce gun battle with armed bandits along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway on Thursday.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the officers, led by ASP John Dogara, were ambushed near Gidan Giye village in Tsafe Local Government Area around 1:00 p.m.
The patrol team, attached to the Operations Department, engaged the assailants in an intense exchange of gunfire. Several of the bandits were reportedly neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Tragically, five gallant police officers paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” the statement read.
Abubakar added that normalcy had since been restored to the area, with reinforcements deployed to ensure the safety of travellers and maintain peace along the busy route.
Commissioner of Police, CP IB Maikaba, commended the courage of the slain officers and reiterated the command’s commitment to combating banditry and other criminal activities across the state.
Governor Dauda Lawal also expressed sadness over the incident, confirming that eight security personnel—including members of the Community Protection Guard—were killed in the ambush.
“We received the news with deep sorrow. May Allah have mercy on them and grant their families patience. We pray for an end to the insecurity troubling Zamfara, the North, and Nigeria at large,” the governor said in a statement.
The attack occurred just hours after armed bandits invaded a mosque in Maradawa, Gusau Local Government Area, abducting several worshippers during early morning prayers.
In a similar incident last month, bandits stormed a mosque in Yandoto community, Tsafe LGA, killing five worshippers and kidnapping others.
