Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command have repelled an armed bandit ambush along the Gusau–Talata Mafara road, with one officer injured during the encounter.

Police sources said a team led by DSP Ma’aji Ndagunu was returning from Gusau after transferring a case to the State CID when they came under attack at Kwanar Kirya village.

The officers reportedly returned fire, forcing the assailants to flee into nearby bushes, possibly with gunshot injuries.

One officer, Insp. Jamilu Abdullahi, was hit on the right thigh and taken to the General Hospital in Talata Mafara for treatment.

Reinforcements from the division and Talata Mafara Area Command were immediately deployed to the area, while security forces continued combing surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command, working with the Community Guard, has arrested suspected bandits’ informants and financiers, recovering seven rustled cows and a motorcycle.

Police said operatives acting on credible intelligence raided Sarma village in Tangaza, arresting two suspects — Nura Dan Haruna, 20, and Buhari Salah, 18 — allegedly found with the stolen cows and an unregistered motorcycle.

The suspects reportedly told investigators they were sent to deliver the animals to Hamza Ibrahim, 56, of Kara area in Illela, who has also been arrested.

Hamza was said to have confessed to selling two of the cows last month to Abubakar Muhammad, 31, of Gwadabawa. Muhammad has since been taken into custody.

The Sokoto Police Command said investigations are ongoing, adding that efforts are being intensified to track down other suspects linked to the network.