The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued 25 abducted residents—10 women and 15 children—after armed bandits raided Kuraje village in the Damba area of Gusau Local Government on Friday night.
Police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said in a statement on Saturday that the victims were freed through a joint operation involving officers from the Damba Division, the Department of Operations in Gusau, and personnel of the Community Protection Guards.
“On 21st November 2025, at about 21:45 hours, a group of armed bandits in large numbers, wielding dangerous weapons and firing sporadically, attacked Kuraje village,” Abubakar stated.
He explained that during the attack, the criminals abducted ten women and fifteen children—all residents of the community.
“Upon receiving the distress report, joint police patrol teams, working with the Community Protection Guards, swiftly mobilised to the scene,” he said.
“The team confirmed the incident, pursued the fleeing bandits, and engaged them in a coordinated and strategic operation.”
According to him, the security operatives’ “professionalism, gallantry, and swift response” led to the safe rescue of all 25 victims, who were later moved to Sabongari Damba for profiling before reuniting with their families.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, commended the officers for their bravery and assured residents of the command’s continuous efforts to protect lives and property across Zamfara.
The latest incident adds to recent cases of mass abductions in the country, including the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, the abduction of worshippers at a church in Kwara, and the seizure of more than 300 pupils and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State.
