Armed bandits have killed two people and abducted a police inspector during an attack along the Birnin Magaji–Kaura Namoda Road in Zamfara State, security sources said.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on April 19 when about 100 gunmen, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, blocked the road between Gidan Malam Haruna and Gidan Katare in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited security sources in a post on X, the attackers intercepted a Golf 3 vehicle conveying passengers from Nasarawa Godel Market to Kaura Namoda and opened fire.

Two victims, identified as Zaliha Usman and an unidentified infant, were killed during the attack, while a police inspector, Bala Abdullahi, attached to the Kaura Namoda Police Division, was abducted. The assailants also made away with his motorcycle.

A joint team of police tactical operatives, military personnel, community protection guards, and local hunters was later deployed to the scene but reportedly came under fire from the attackers during an exchange of gunfire.

Two military personnel sustained gunshot injuries in the encounter and were taken for treatment.

The victims were evacuated to the General Hospital Birnin Magaji, where the two fatalities were confirmed dead. The remains of Zaliha Usman were subsequently released to her family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.