Terrorists Abduct Police Officer, Three Others On Gusau–Sokoto Highway

Gusau, Zamfara State- Terrorists suspected to be armed bandits have abducted a serving police officer and three other travellers along the Gusau–Sokoto highway, Zamfara State.

The abduction reportedly occurred on Friday afternoon at about 1:10 p.m. in the Gidan Kano area of Maradun Local Government Area, a corridor that has become notorious for repeated attacks, kidnappings and ambushes by criminal gangs.

Afrika Eyes gathered that heavily armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush, blocked the busy highway and forcefully stopped vehicles plying the route.

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, disclosed that one of the abducted victims has been identified as Police Constable Gaddafi Faruku.

The identities of the remaining three victims have not yet been made public, raising fears among families and communities in the area.

According to Makama, the abductors took their victims to an unknown location shortly after the attack, a tactic commonly employed by bandits operating across Zamfara, Katsina and parts of Sokoto states.

“Efforts are currently ongoing by security agencies to track down the assailants and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted persons,” Makama said.

The Gusau–Sokoto highway is a critical route linking Zamfara to neighbouring Sokoto State, and it is frequently used by traders, commuters and security personnel.

Despite repeated assurances from authorities, the road has remained largely unsafe, with travellers often avoiding daytime movement or relying on military escorts that are not always available.

Zamfara State has been at the epicentre of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, with thousands of people killed or abducted over the years.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Zamfara State Police Command on the abduction.