Fear has once again gripped residents of Zamfara State as gunmen struck in Gusau on Wednesday night, kidnapping two serving councillors and a respected cleric. The attack took place in Tsauni, a community situated behind the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Command headquarters, underscoring the worsening insecurity in the region.
Eyewitnesses say the victims — councillors representing Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun Local Government Area, as well as the Imam of Tsauni — were seized right in front of their homes around 7:00 pm, moments after evening prayers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview. He disclosed that security operatives had been dispatched to the area and assured that efforts were ongoing to track down the armed men and rescue the abductees.
“Our men have been deployed, and we are making every effort to ensure the victims are safely reunited with their families. We urge residents to assist us with credible information that could help curb these criminal activities,” Abubakar said.
The disturbing development has heightened tension in Tsauni, a community already familiar with hardship after previously hosting internally displaced persons who fled bandit attacks from other parts of Zamfara.
In a separate reaction, the chairman of Maradun Local Government, Sanusi Gamagiwa, confirmed that the armed men initially abducted six individuals during the raid. According to him, three were later released, while the two councillors and the Imam remain in captivity.
“Up until now, we have not received any contact or demand from the abductors,” Gamagiwa revealed.
The abduction adds to the growing list of security challenges plaguing Zamfara, where residents continue to live in fear of recurring attacks by armed groups. Security agencies say rescue operations are ongoing as families and community members anxiously await news of the councillors and the cleric.