Bandits Storm Zamfara Capital On Independence Day, Abduct Two Local Govt Councillors, Resident

Armed bandits launched a daring Independence Day raid on Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where they abducted two serving local government councillors and at least one other resident.

Local sources told SaharaReporters that the heavily armed attackers struck around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, forcing their victims into the forest.

The abducted councillors, whose names were withheld for security reasons, were said to represent Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in the Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

“On Wednesday night, bandits attacked the Tsauni area of Gusau, Zamfara’s capital. Several people were abducted, including two serving councilors representing Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun LGA,” a security analyst, Salihu Bamle, told SaharaReporters on Thursday morning.

This latest assault comes at a time when both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government have been touting ongoing peace talks and negotiations with armed groups as a way to end years of violence. Despite these efforts, communities continue to face deadly raids, abductions, and mass killings.

Only recently, innocent worshippers were massacred inside a mosque in Zamfara during evening prayers.

The tragic incident that sparked outrage has yet to be matched with decisive security action.

However, the Zamfara State Police Command has since confirmed the incident that occurred on Wednesday. The command spokesperson, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said a total of three persons, including the two councillors, were abducted during the attack.

He added that police operatives and other security agencies were already on the trail of the kidnappers and expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued unharmed.

“The command is working tirelessly to ensure the safe rescue of the captives. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” ASP Yazid told SaharaReporters.