The worsening security situation in Zamfara State has again raised serious questions about the capacity of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to protect lives and property, as armed bandits abducted 2 police officers during a fresh attack in Maru Local Government Area.
The latest incident occurred on January 4, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., when gunmen stormed Farin Ruwa village along the Farin Ruwa–Wasagu road through the Dansadau axis, one of the state’s most volatile corridors. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attackers kidnapped an Assistant Superintendent of Police and an Inspector attached to the Department of Operations, making away with their service rifles.
Joint security forces comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, police operatives, Civilian Protection Group members and local vigilantes reportedly mobilised in response to the attack. However, they were ambushed by the bandits, underscoring the growing boldness and tactical advantage enjoyed by criminal groups operating freely across the state.
That 2 serving police officers could be abducted during a rescue operation highlights the deepening insecurity that has come to define Zamfara under Governor Lawal’s leadership. Despite repeated assurances and policy statements, banditry, kidnappings and rural attacks have continued unabated, particularly in Maru, Anka, Bukkuyum, Tsafe and Dansadau areas.
Residents say armed groups now operate with near impunity, controlling vast forest territories, mounting road ambushes and launching coordinated attacks on communities, often overpowering local security responses. The kidnapping of security personnel themselves has further demoralised both residents and operatives, while reinforcing public perception that the state is losing control of its security architecture.
Critics argue that Governor Lawal’s administration has failed to translate rhetoric into effective action, with no clear, sustained security strategy capable of degrading bandit networks or reclaiming occupied territories. While insecurity predates the current government, the persistence and escalation of attacks under his watch have fuelled accusations of weak coordination, poor intelligence-driven response and insufficient political pressure on federal security agencies.
The continued reliance on reactive deployments, rather than proactive clearing operations and community-based intelligence, has also come under scrutiny. Many communities complain that government presence is only felt after attacks have occurred, often too late to prevent loss of lives or abductions.
Security sources confirmed that an anti-kidnapping unit has been deployed to track the abducted officers, but as of the time of reporting, their whereabouts remain unknown.
For many Zamfara residents, the incident is not an isolated case but part of a troubling pattern that reflects a broader governance failure in tackling insecurity. As bandits grow more daring, abducting even armed officers, pressure is mounting on Governor Lawal to move beyond statements and demonstrate decisive leadership capable of restoring confidence and safety across the state.
Until concrete results are seen on the ground, the narrative of insecurity overwhelming Zamfara under the current administration is likely to persist, with devastating consequences for citizens already living under constant fear.
