Police, Military foil bandits’ attack in Zamfara, recover 504 livestock, AK-47 rifle

Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command, in collaboration with military personnel, have successfully repelled a bandits’ attack and recovered hundreds of rustled livestock, as well as weapons and ammunition, during a coordinated security operation in Gumi Local Government Area of the state.

Security sources disclosed on Saturday that the operation was carried out by personnel of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) alongside military troops following actionable intelligence on the activities of armed bandits within the area.

According to the sources, the operation took place in the early hours of Friday, June 20, at about 2:30 a.m. in the Gambanda Forest, a location believed to be frequently used by criminal elements operating in parts of Zamfara State.

The joint security team reportedly acted on credible intelligence indicating the movement and planned activities of suspected bandits in the forest. Upon arrival, the operatives engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

The security personnel were said to have deployed superior firepower and coordinated tactical strategies, forcing the bandits to abandon their operation and flee deeper into the forest. Authorities believe some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.

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As a result of the operation, the security team recovered a total of 329 rustled cattle and 175 sheep, bringing the number of rescued livestock to 504. The operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing bandits.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, praised the officers and soldiers involved for their bravery, professionalism, and determination in confronting the criminals.

He described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry and other violent crimes in the state, noting that the recovery of the rustled animals and weapons was a significant achievement.

The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying offensive operations against criminal groups and ensuring that communities across Zamfara enjoy improved security and peace.

Bello also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that could assist ongoing efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating in forests and remote areas.

He assured the people of Zamfara that the police, working closely with the military and other security agencies, would sustain coordinated operations until banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, and other related crimes are drastically reduced across the state.

The latest operation underscores the renewed efforts of security forces to curb insecurity in Zamfara, one of the states most affected by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region.