Five police officers killed, one missing in Zamfara bandit ambush

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of five police officers and the abduction of one other during an ambush by armed bandits along the Gusau–Funtua Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area.

According to reports from the Tsafe Divisional Office, the attack occurred at about 1 p.m. on Thursday when bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, laid a coordinated ambush near Gidan Giye village.

The patrol team, led by ASP John Dogara and comprising six personnel, came under heavy gunfire. Dogara and four officers were killed on the spot, while Inspector Ibrahim Ahmed, attached to the Transport Office, remains missing.

The attackers reportedly fled with the slain officers’ service rifles before police reinforcements arrived.

In response, the Divisional Police Officer deployed additional personnel to the area, while the Commissioner of Police ordered more patrols to prevent further attacks.

Security operatives recovered a riot gun, a magazine with 11 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and three cartridges from the scene.

The bodies of the deceased officers were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, for post-mortem examination.

Police say efforts are ongoing to locate the missing officer and recover the stolen weapons.