SAA event in Nigeria on Fri 12th June 2026

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Zamfara, Bandits Escape with Injuries 

By: Zagazola Makama 

The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued three kidnapped victims 
following a gun duel with armed bandits along the Gurusu–Anka Road in 
the state.

The Command said the operation was carried out on Friday at about 4:00 
p.m. by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) after 
receiving a distress call that armed bandits had blocked the road and 
abducted passengers travelling from Bukuyyum to Talata Mafara.

According to a statement issued by the Command, the operatives 
immediately mobilised to the area and trailed the suspects into a nearby
 forest.

It stated that a gun battle ensued between the police and the bandits, 
during which the criminals were overpowered and forced to flee into the 
bush, allegedly with gunshot injuries as indicated by bloodstains at the
 scene.

The Command confirmed that all three kidnapped victims were rescued 
unhurt during the operation.

However, it noted that the bandits escaped with an Android phone 
belonging to one of the victims.

The statement added that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the
 fleeing suspects using intelligence-led operations, including tracing 
the stolen device.

The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, A.M. Bello, commended the 
operatives for their professionalism and bravery, reaffirming the 
Command’s commitment to sustained operations against banditry and other 
violent crimes across the state.