A joint security operation involving the Zamfara State Police Command and military personnel has rescued a kidnapped staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and thwarted coordinated bandit attacks following separate operations in Gummi, Talata Mafara and Gusau Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, 9th July, 2026 said the operations followed a series of coordinated attacks launched by heavily armed bandits across the affected communities.
According to the PPRO, on July 7, 2026, a large group of armed bandits riding on about 50 motorcycles stormed villages in the Ruwan Bore District of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, rustling hundreds of cattle during the attack.
A woman sustained a gunshot injury from a stray bullet and was evacuated to the General Hospital in Talata Mafara, where she is receiving treatment.
The attackers subsequently advanced toward Gummi Local Government Area, where they abducted Mr. Aliyu Mohammed, an INEC staff member who was on official assignment with the National Examinations Council (NECO).
The official had transported examination scripts collected from secondary schools in Gummi to Sokoto before he was intercepted and kidnapped along the Gummi–Sokoto Road.
Security sources said the victim’s official white Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number FG 853-V01 was later found abandoned at Tafkin Area.
Police operatives from Gummi Division responded promptly, recovered the abandoned vehicle and secured the examination scripts, which were subsequently handed over to the Principal of Government Unity Secondary School, Gummi, Mr. Ashiru Umar, for onward transmission to the appropriate NECO office in Sokoto.
Following intelligence that a large concentration of armed bandits had regrouped inside Gando Forest after inviting reinforcements from neighbouring Sokoto and Kebbi States to retaliate against recent security operations, the Zamfara State Police Command deployed its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to reinforce military troops already conducting operations in the area.
The combined security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle that began at about 2:45 a.m. on July 8.
The superior firepower of the joint force overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to flee into the forest with significant casualties, while several escaped with gunshot wounds.
During the operation, the kidnapped INEC official and another abducted victim were rescued unhurt.
In a related operation on July 8 at about 9:55 a.m., security operatives responded to a distress call reporting the abduction of several motorists and farmers at Kwanar Ganuwa in Gusau Local Government Area.
Personnel of the VCRU, supported by the Police Mobile Force (PMF), engaged the bandits in a gun battle, compelling them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest.
“The Zamfara State Police Command has recorded another major operational success following coordinated tactical operations by its personnel, leading to the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of rustled livestock, and the disruption of coordinated bandit attacks in Gummi, Talata Mafara, and Gusau Local Government Areas of the State,” the statement read.
“On 7th July 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits riding on approximately fifty motorcycles attacked villages around Ruwan Bore District in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.
“During the attack, the criminals rustled a large number of cattle believed to be in the hundreds. One woman sustained a gunshot injury from a stray bullet and was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Talata Mafara, where she is currently receiving medical treatment.
“The bandits later advanced towards Gummi Local Government Area, where they abducted Mr. Aliyu Mohammed, a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who was on official assignment with the National Examinations Council (NECO).
“The victim had transported examination scripts from various secondary schools within Gummi Local Government Area to Sokoto before he was abducted along the Gummi–Sokoto Road. His official white Toyota Hilux vehicle, with Registration Number FG 853-V01, was found abandoned at Tafkin Area.
“Upon receiving the report, police operatives from Gummi Division swiftly visited the scene and recovered the abandoned vehicle, which was taken to the station for safekeeping.
“The examination scripts were also recovered and handed over to the Principal of Government Unity Secondary School, Gummi, Mr. Ashiru Umar, for onward delivery to the appropriate office in Sokoto.
“Following a distress call from military personnel engaged in operations within Gando Forest, the Command immediately deployed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to reinforce the troops.
“Intelligence revealed that a large concentration of armed bandits had assembled within the forest after inviting reinforcements from neighbouring Sokoto and Kebbi States in an attempt to retaliate for the heavy losses they suffered during recent police operations.
“The combined security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle which commenced at about 2:45 a.m. on 8th July 2026.
“The overwhelming firepower and superior tactical response forced the criminals to flee with significant casualties. During the operation, the kidnapped INEC official and another victim were successfully rescued unhurt.
“Hundreds of rustled cattle were also recovered and reunited with their rightful owners, while several fleeing bandits escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“In a related development, on 8th July 2026 at about 9:55 a.m., the Command received another distress call reporting the abduction of numerous motorists and farmers at Kwanar Ganuwa in Gusau Local Government Area.
“Personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), supported by the Police Mobile Force (PMF), were immediately deployed to the area.
“The operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest. The victims were successfully rescued without harm and taken to safety.
“The Commissioner of Police, Cp A.M Bello psc +,mnips further reassured the good people of Zamfara State that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining aggressive operations against all forms of criminality and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities.”
