Police rescue three kidnap victims in Zamfara

Sunday, June 14, 2026 - 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 spokesperson for the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Abubakar said the operation was carried out on Friday, June 12 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 the PPRO, the operatives immediately mobilised to the area and trailed the suspects into a nearby forest.

A gun battle ensued between the police and the bandits, during which the criminals were overpowered and forced to flee into the bush with gunshot injuries.

“The Zamfara State Police Command, in its continuous effort to rid the state of crime and criminality, recorded another operational success on 13th June, 2026 at about 1600 hours, a team of police operatives attached to the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Zamfara State Command, responded to a distress call indicating that a large number of armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, had blocked the Gurusu–Anka Road and kidnapped three persons travelling from Bukuyum to Talata Mafara,” the statement read.

"Upon receipt of the report, the operatives swiftly mobilised and trailed the armed bandits into a nearby forest. 

"A gun duel subsequently ensued between the police operatives and the bandits. Through the effective deployment of tactical measures, the bandits were overpowered and forced to flee into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds, as evidenced by bloodstains observed at the scene of engagement.

"As a result of the operation, all three kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unharmed. However, the bandits escaped with an Android phone belonging to one of the victims.

"Efforts are currently ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects through the stolen phone and other intelligence-led strategies.

“The Commissioner of Police,Cp A.M Bello psc+,Mnips Zamfara State Command, commends the bravery and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operation and reassures residents of the Command's unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.”