A police officer and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) have been killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Mada district of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
The attack took place around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday when the joint security team was on patrol as part of “Operation Restore Peace” – an ongoing effort to curb the rising cases of banditry and insecurity in the state.
According to local sources, the security operatives were heading to Fegin Mahe village when they walked into a carefully laid ambush by suspected bandits. A fierce gun battle ensued between the attackers and the security team.
Tragically, a police officer attached to the Tudun Wada Division and a Civilian JTF member lost their lives during the shootout. The police officer’s service rifle was reportedly taken by the attackers before they fled into nearby bushes.
“The NCO’s service rifle was also carted away by the bandits,” a source familiar with the incident told reporters.
Following the attack, the bodies of the fallen officer and JTF member were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, the state capital.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the worsening security situation in Zamfara State, which has been a hotspot for banditry, kidnapping, and rural violence over the past few years. Despite ongoing military and police operations, several communities continue to suffer from attacks, displacements, and loss of lives.
“Operation Restore Peace” was launched to tackle banditry in the North-West region, with special focus on Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and parts of Kaduna. However, security experts say the challenges remain complex, especially in remote areas where bandits are deeply entrenched in forested terrain.
Residents of Mada district expressed fear and concern after the incident, urging both federal and state governments to strengthen security presence in rural communities and provide better support for local security volunteers, especially the Civilian JTF, who often face well-armed attackers with limited resources.
“These people are sacrificing their lives to protect us. They need better equipment, training, and support,” said a local youth leader in Mada.
So far, police authorities in Zamfara are yet to release an official statement on the attack. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that additional troops have been deployed to the area in search of the fleeing bandits and to prevent further attacks.
Zamfara State has suffered from repeated bandit attacks over the years, with hundreds of people killed and thousands displaced. Villages such as Mada, Dansadau, Shinkafi, and Anka have remained under constant threat, despite multiple peace efforts and military interventions.
