At least eight security personnel were killed on Tuesday when armed attackers ambushed a police convoy in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, according to local security officials.
The attack occurred near Gidan-Giye village in the Tsafe Local Government Area, where gunmen opened fire on a vehicle transporting police officers and members of a state-backed security force.
Lawal Haruna, a local vigilante commander, said those killed included five police officers and three members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (CPG), which supports security operations in the state.
Abubakar Isa, a CPG member, said the attackers targeted a 15-seater bus carrying the security personnel, destroying the vehicle during the assault.
Police confirmed recovering the bodies of five officers and rescuing seven others. Two wounded officers were evacuated for medical treatment.
According to a police statement, the attackers also seized five AK-47 rifles during the ambush.
A police officer told Reuters that several personnel had been abducted and taken to an undisclosed location. However, authorities have not confirmed how many officers remain missing.
Zamfara has experienced persistent violence involving armed groups responsible for kidnappings, raids on communities and attacks on security forces.
The latest ambush highlights the continuing security challenges facing authorities in northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups operate across rural areas despite ongoing security operations.
