Police Eliminate 8 Terrorists in Zamfara as Bandits Abduct 5 Residents, Rustle Cattle
Security operatives in Zamfara State have continued their fight against armed banditry with mixed developments over the weekend, as police operatives gunned down eight armed bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, while in a separate incident, five persons were abducted and livestock rustled in another village.
On Friday at about 4:30 p.m., a joint team of Police operatives and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) from Fegin Mahe village responded to intelligence about a planned bandit attack in Fegin Kanawa village of Wonaka District, Gusau Local Government Area. However, the team was ambushed by the bandits who had already laid in wait.
The operatives, led by the Tactical Zonal Force Squad (ZFS), responded with superior firepower, killing eight bandits on the spot. Several others escaped into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, one police officer, Inspector Tasi’u Lawali of the 42 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Gusau, sustained gunshot injuries to his hand and mouth during the gunfight. He was promptly evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gusau for treatment and is currently in stable condition.
Read Also:
In the aftermath, police authorities have intensified search operations in the surrounding forested areas in a bid to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Sunday around 9:00 a.m., suspected armed bandits stormed Kasheshi Kura village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area, abducting five individuals and rustling four cattle.
Preliminary findings suggest that the attack may have been a retaliatory strike linked to the activities of one Ibrahim Shaibu, popularly known as “Gwanda,” a local member of the Community Protection Guard (CPG). Gwanda had previously assisted Civilian JTF personnel, popularly referred to as “Hunters,” who were briefly deployed to the area before withdrawing.
Sources believe the bandits may have targeted the village due to Gwanda’s affiliation with security volunteer groups. Security has since been reinforced in Kasheshi Kura and nearby villages to forestall further attacks, while rescue operations are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted victims and recover the stolen livestock.
The dual incidents highlight the persistent threat of banditry in Zamfara and the resilience of security forces working to curb the menace amid significant challenges.
By PRNigeria
