At least five police officers have reportedly been killed after suspected bandits ambushed a vehicle conveying security personnel along the Sokoto–Gusau highway.
The officers were travelling from Sokoto State to Zamfara State on Monday, November 2, when armed attackers reportedly intercepted their vehicle, a Zamfara State mass transit bus popularly known as Bazamfara, and opened fire.
Reports indicate that the officers were on their way to provide security for the APC primary election in Zamfara North Senatorial District when the attack occurred.
The spokesperson for the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 10, DSP Abdullahi Faruk, reportedly confirmed the incident, while Blueprint reported that the remains of the deceased officers had been deposited at the morgue of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.
Channels Television also reported that some officers might have been abducted during the attack, although the exact number of casualties and the fate of other personnel remained unclear at the time of reporting.
The latest incident adds to growing security concerns in Nigeria’s North-West, particularly Sokoto and Zamfara states, where armed groups have continued to attack travellers, communities and security personnel.
