\n\n
Security operatives in Zamfara State have recovered 329 rustled cattle, 175 sheep, an AK-47 rifle, and 15 rounds of live ammunition following a successful joint operation against armed bandits in Gumi Local Government Area. The operation was carried out by personnel of the Zamfara State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with military troops during a raid on the notorious Gambanda Forest in the early hours of Saturday.
According to police authorities, the security team encountered heavily armed bandits during the operation and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The operatives reportedly overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to flee deeper into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries. Following the confrontation, security personnel combed the area and recovered the large number of livestock believed to have been stolen from communities across the state, along with the rifle and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes in the North-West. He noted that the recovered animals would be properly identified and returned to their rightful owners after necessary verification procedures. The command also reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against criminal groups operating in forests and remote communities across the state.
Commending the officers and soldiers involved in the operation, Commissioner of Police Ahmad Bello praised their courage, professionalism, and resilience. He assured residents that security agencies would continue working together to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace to Zamfara. The police chief also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to defeating banditry and improving security throughout the state.
