Armed bandits invaded Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, abducting two serving local government councillors and at least one other resident in what local sources described as a brazen Independence Day attack.
According to Sahara Reporters, the heavily armed assailants struck the Tsauni area of Gusau at about 8:00 p.m., forcing their victims into the nearby forest.
The abducted councillors, whose names have been withheld for security reasons, were said to represent Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“On Wednesday night, bandits attacked the Tsauni area of Gusau, Zamfara’s capital. Several people were abducted, including two serving councillors representing Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun LGA,” security analyst Salihu Bamle told reporters on Thursday morning.
The abduction highlights the continuing threat of banditry in Zamfara, a state that has for years struggled with armed raids, mass kidnappings, and violence.
In August 2025, at least two people were killed and more than 100 abducted in coordinated assaults on rural communities, according to Reuters.
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In late September 2025, gunmen stormed a mosque in Tsafe Local Government Area, killing worshippers during dawn prayers.
This latest attack comes despite ongoing peace talks and negotiations between the Zamfara State Government, the Federal Government, and armed groups aimed at halting the violence.
Critics argue that the persistence of raids and abductions underscores the fragility of these initiatives and the urgent need for stronger security interventions.
The Independence Day raid, carried out in the heart of the state capital, has deepened fears that no community, urban or rural is beyond the reach of armed groups in Zamfara.