Police say over 30 suspected bandit bodies found after Zamfara gun battle
- Zamfara police say operatives repelled an attempted attack on Bukkuyum town on 28 October.
- More than 30 bodies believed to be those of bandits were later found in surrounding farmlands.
- Police say the toll is unverified because bandits often remove their dead from battle sites.
Police in Zamfara say security operatives stopped an attempted attack on Bukkuyum town and later found more than 30 bodies, believed to be those of bandits, in farmlands around the community.
The state police command's spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, announced the development in a statement on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
According to the statement, the operation began on 28 October after armed men tried to enter Bukkuyum town in Bukkuyum Local Government Area. Police operatives, working with local civil security outfits, engaged the attackers in a gun battle and kept them out of the town.
The command said the discovery of the bodies suggested the attackers may have suffered heavy casualties. But it said the actual number of casualties is still subject to verification, noting that bandits are known to carry their dead and wounded away from battle sites.
It said the defence of the town prevented possible loss of lives, destruction of property and further displacement of residents.
What happens next
Police said the clearance operation is continuing with other security agencies and stakeholders, and that early assessments suggest sustained pressure has pushed some remaining armed bandits out of the state.
The command assured residents of its commitment to their safety and security across the state.
Bukkuyum and other parts of Zamfara have seen repeated attacks and kidnappings by armed groups in recent years, with residents often relying on local vigilante outfits to support security forces.
