Terrorists ambush night patrol in Zamfara, killing 3 Nigerian policemen

At least three Nigerian policemen were killed when suspected bandits ambushed a night patrol team in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, in the early hours of Saturday, October 17, 2026. The attack occurred around 2am in the Damba Division area of Gusau, the state capital. The officers were on night patrol when they were ambushed, and their patrol van was riddled with bullets. A photograph shows the vehicle, marked "DAMBA DIVISION, ZAMFARA STATE, DONATED BY: ZAMFARA STATE GOVT," with multiple bullet holes.

As of the time of reporting, the Zamfara State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident.

The attack comes days after a deadly ambush on a convoy of traders travelling under military escort in Zamfara. Gunmen killed 20 people in that incident, including four soldiers, three police officers, an NSCDC officer, and 12 civilians. The traders were heading to Nasarawa market in Bukkuyum Local Government Area from Gwashi when they were attacked.

Zamfara State has continued to experience repeated attacks by heavily armed gangs known as bandits, who raid villages, abduct residents for ransom, and rustle livestock.