A routine patrol turned tragic along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara State after armed bandits ambushed a joint team of police officers and community protection guards (CPGs), killing eight security personnel and carting away their rifles.
The fatal encounter occurred near Gidan-Giye village in Tsafe Local Government Area, a notorious hotspot for attacks by armed groups.
According to security sources, the bandits, who were reportedly in large numbers and heavily armed, opened fire on the patrol vehicle around 1 p.m. on Thursday, taking the officers by surprise.
Governor Dauda Lawal confirmed the incident in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, describing it as a painful loss for the state and the nation.
“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. I have received a distressing report of the attack that claimed the lives of our police officers and Askarawa on the Gusau–Funtua road,” Lawal wrote.
“May Allah rest their souls and grant their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. We continue to pray for lasting peace in Zamfara, the North, and Nigeria.”
Eyewitnesses said the operatives were on a special assignment from Gusau, the state capital, to reinforce security and protect commuters frequently targeted by gunmen along the route.
“The bandits suddenly emerged from the forest and opened fire on their vehicle. All the security men inside were killed instantly,” said Ya’u Musa, a resident of Gidan-Giye.
A police source identified the slain officers as part of a six-man patrol team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) John Dogara. ASP Dogara and four other policemen were confirmed dead, while one inspector attached to the Transport Office, Ibrahim Ahmed, was declared missing.
Following the attack, the Divisional Police Officer in Tsafe reportedly mobilised reinforcements to the area, while the Commissioner of Police ordered an immediate deployment of additional patrol units to prevent further incidents.
Recovered items at the scene included one riot gun, a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and three cartridges.
The remains of the deceased officers were later taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau for post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, search operations are underway to locate the missing officer and recover the stolen firearms as security forces intensify efforts to track down the assailants believed to have fled into the forest on motorcycles.
The Gusau–Funtua highway has long been a dangerous route for travellers, with repeated attacks blamed on armed groups operating from forest hideouts across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Residents and commuters have called for a stronger security presence to restore confidence and ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.