Gunmen suspected to be bandits launched a late-night attack on Gali, a village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, abducting four traders and carting away goods from several shops.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Bauchi State Command, CSP Ahmed Mohamed Wakil, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday. He said the attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19.

According to CSP Wakil, the attackers, who arrived in large numbers, broke into at least five provision stores and looted goods before abducting their owners.

Those taken during the raid include 32-year-old Tasi’u Malem Yahya, Hakilu Ubayo (15), Abdul Aziz Sulaiman (28), and 16-year-old Rabiu Ganjwa—all residents of the affected community.

Following the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Sani Omolori Aliu, ordered immediate action. The Divisional Police Officer in Alkaleri mobilized a joint team of police personnel, local hunters, and vigilantes to launch a search-and-rescue operation.

“The situation is under control, but our men are actively searching the surrounding forest areas to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the criminals responsible,” CSP Wakil assured.

The attack has heightened anxiety among residents, who now fear for their safety amid increasing bandit activity in the region. Notably, the incident adds to a string of recent violent attacks, including a deadly ambush along Gwana-Mansur Road where several vigilante operatives lost their lives.