The Zamfara State Police Command, in a joint operation with other security agencies, has repelled a bandit attack during a two-hour gunfight along Gadar Manya in the Anka Local Government Area of the state.
A statement by the spokesperson for the state police command on Tuesday disclosed that the armed confrontation, which occurred on Monday, followed an encounter with a group of bandits attempting to cross the highway.
According to the command, the criminals, who opened fire upon sighting the security team, were forced to retreat into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds, leaving behind two motorcycles recovered at the scene.
The statement read, “The Zamfara State Police Command has continued to record successes in its ongoing fight against banditry across the state.
“On 8th June 2026, at approximately 1600 hours, a joint security team comprising operatives of the VCRU, ZFS, Mobile Police Force, and Civil Security Volunteers, while conducting anti-banditry patrols along Gadar Manya in the Anka Local Government Area, encountered a group of armed bandits attempting to cross the highway.
“On sighting the security team, the bandits opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire that lasted for about two hours. The operatives responded effectively, forcing the criminals to retreat into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
“Following the encounter, two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits were recovered at the scene. This development brings the total number of motorcycles recovered during recent anti-banditry operations to twelve.”
The statement added that efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects were underway.
The police added that the command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property and urges members of the public to continue providing useful information that can support security operations across the state.
This development comes on the heels of another incident reported by the police on Monday, in which at least 39 residents of Magamin Diddi in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State were abducted by armed bandits during a community dialogue held with the parents of a suspected bandit leader.