The Zamfara State Police Command says 17 bandits have been neutralised following a gun battle with security operatives after an attack on the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The bandits had on Tuesday, August 25, blocked the highway near Unguwar Chida Village and opened fire on motorists and passengers.
According to the police, the attackers intercepted two commercial vehicles, including a Sharon vehicle travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory, and a Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA) bus carrying 18 passengers towards Kaduna and Abuja.
The Sharon vehicle driver, identified as Alhaji Halilu Namadi, was shot dead, while six passengers — four men and two women — were also killed.
A male passenger on the SSTA bus was similarly killed, while nine others sustained gunshot injuries. Eight passengers were abducted by the bandits.
The police said the deceased and injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where the injured are receiving treatment.
Later that evening, the same group attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe, where a stray bullet injured a 35-year-old resident, Lawali Muazu.
In a follow-up operation, police and military operatives tracked the fleeing bandits to the Funtua-Gusau highway, where they attempted to intercept and loot a trailer carrying food items.
The security forces engaged the bandits in a gun battle, killing 17 of them, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
The Police Violence Crime Response Unit and military personnel are continuing operations to track the fleeing bandits and rescue the eight abducted passengers.
The Command said joint patrols involving the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations.
It added that clearance operations were also ongoing around suspected bandit hideouts and escape routes.
The Commissioner of Police directed operatives to intensify the search-and-rescue operation and ensure the abducted passengers are rescued.
The Command urged residents and motorists to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
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