By: Abdullahi Inuwa
…..Eight passengers abducted as gunmen unleash terror on commuters, leaving multiple victims dead and injured
Panic erupted along the busy Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway in Zamfara State after heavily armed bandits launched a deadly attack on motorists, killing several passengers and abducting eight others.
But the attackers did not escape unchallenged.
In a swift counter-operation, security forces engaged the fleeing bandits in a fierce gun battle, killing 17 of the criminals and forcing several others to flee with gunshot wounds.
The bloody incident occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, around 4:05 p.m., near Unguwar Chida in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The bandits reportedly blocked the highway and opened fire on passing vehicles, throwing motorists and passengers into panic.
Two commercial vehicles were caught in the attack—a Sharon vehicle travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory and a Sokoto State Transport Authority bus carrying 18 passengers towards Kaduna and Abuja.
The driver of the Sharon vehicle, identified as Alhaji Halilu Namadi from Taloka Village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was shot dead.
The vehicle reportedly lost control, somersaulted and veered off the road.
Six passengers—four men and two women—were also killed in the attack.
On the SSTA bus, one male passenger was shot dead, while nine others sustained gunshot injuries. Eight passengers were forcibly taken away by the attackers and remain in captivity.
Following the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Tsafe immediately mobilised the Police Violence Crime Response Unit and raced to the scene.
The dead and injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where the injured are receiving treatment. The remains of those killed were deposited at the mortuary pending identification and contact with their relatives.
However, the nightmare was far from over.
About two hours later, the same group of bandits reportedly stormed Magazu Village in Tsafe Local Government Area.
During the attack, a 35-year-old resident, Lawali Muazu, was struck by a stray bullet. He was rushed to the General Hospital, Tsafe, for treatment.
As the bandits attempted to escape, security forces launched a hot pursuit.
Police and military operatives eventually tracked the fleeing criminals towards the Funtua–Gusau highway, where the bandits allegedly attempted to intercept and loot a trailer loaded with food items.
But the arrival of the security forces changed the situation dramatically.
The bandits reportedly opened fire and engaged the operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
When the shooting subsided, 17 bandits had been neutralised, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries.
The Zamfara Police Command said its VCRU personnel, working with military operatives, have intensified the search for the eight abducted passengers.
The Commissioner of Police has directed the teams to sustain the rescue operation and pursue the fleeing members of the criminal gang.
Security forces have also deployed joint patrols comprising the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes along the highway and other vulnerable locations.
The teams are simultaneously conducting clearance operations around suspected bandit hideouts and escape routes.
The Police Command said the security situation in the affected areas is now under control and assured commuters that measures were being taken to prevent further attacks.
Residents and travellers have meanwhile been urged to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or security formation.
The Command said its priority remains clear: rescue the abducted passengers, hunt down the fleeing attackers and restore lasting security along the highway.
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