Police officers killed in ambush on Sokoto–Zamfara road, toll unclear

Suspected bandits have ambushed police officers travelling from Sokoto State to Zamfara State for a special duty assignment, killing some of them, according to several reports. The exact number of officers killed was still unclear on Monday night.

Punch reported that five officers died, quoting a police officer who survived the attack. The other outlets that covered the incident — Channels TV, Sahara Reporters, Daily Post and Tribune — said the casualty figure had not been confirmed.

The accounts also differ on the day. Channels TV and Sahara Reporters said the attack happened on Monday, while Punch said it occurred on Sunday. Punch reported that the officers were travelling in three vehicles when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle at the back of the convoy.

Channels TV reported that the officers were in a Zamfara State mass transit bus, known locally as Bazamfara, heading to Gusau, the state capital. Its sources said the officers were going to provide security for the APC primary election for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, which was ongoing in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. Channels TV also reported that some officers were abducted, though this has not been confirmed.

Photographs and videos shared online appeared to show the bodies of some officers inside a vehicle, with their hands and legs tied with ropes. Their belongings were scattered at the scene, and the vehicle had visible bloodstains. Daily Post reported that the bodies were later evacuated.

Police yet to issue official statement

The spokespersons for the Sokoto and Zamfara police commands, Rufai Ahmed and Yezid Abubakar, told Sahara Reporters they were unaware of the incident. Ahmed referred questions to the zonal command.

The outlets also gave different names for the Zone 10 police spokesperson. Channels TV and Sahara Reporters named him as Abdullahi Ambursa, while Punch named him as ASP Abdallah Faruku. Channels TV quoted Ambursa confirming the incident, saying he was in hospital and would issue a statement later. Punch said it could not reach Faruku by phone.

The attack adds to the security worries of travellers and residents across the north-west, where armed groups have repeatedly ambushed highways and attacked communities in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna states.

What happens next

Nigerians travelling the Sokoto–Gusau road will be watching for the police statement, which should confirm the number of officers killed, whether anyone was abducted, and what is being done to make the highway safer.