Inside Nigeria’s unregulated taser market where legal loopholes allow unchecked sale, use

Police in Kano State, Nigeria, have rescued ten passengers after a violent attack by suspected bandits along the Jos-Kano highway. The incident took place on July 26, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., near the Falgore Forest axis in Doguwa Local Government Area. According to a statement released by the Kano State Police Command, five armed attackers, equipped with machetes and a firearm, ambushed a Toyota Hiace bus traveling from Jos to Kano. The vehicle, registered as BKK 6824 XA, was targeted during its journey between Gate Two Safer Highway and Dogo Dutse. The attackers blocked the highway and attacked the bus, abducting 13 of the 20 passengers aboard. Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Doguwa immediately dispatched a team of tactical police officers to the scene. The police engaged the suspects in a gunfight, leading to the successful rescue of nine victims. One other male victim managed to escape from captivity independently. However, three individuals, comprising one male and two females, remain missing and are believed to still be in the hands of the attackers. The rescued victims were promptly transported to Doguwa General Hospital for medical evaluation and are currently in stable condition, receiving necessary treatment. The police have since intensified their operational and manhunt efforts, deploying additional tactical units and focusing on sustained intelligence gathering to locate the remaining captives and apprehend the suspects. The Kano State Police Command emphasized that the operation reflects the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to proactive policing, rapid response, and safeguarding lives and property through collaboration with local communities. Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, praised the public for providing timely information that aided in the swift response. He assured residents that the police force remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens within the state. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further updates will be shared with the public as more information becomes available. In a separate incident, a 45-year-old man and his teenage daughter lost their lives after falling into an abandoned dry well in Yancibi Village, Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State. The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the tragedy in a statement issued on Tuesday. The incident occurred on the evening of July 21, when Abubakar Abdullahi and his 15-year-old daughter, Fiddausi Abubakar, fell into the well. Firefighters from the Tsanyawa branch initially responded to the distress call but were unable to complete the rescue due to darkness and challenging conditions. An emergency rescue team from the fire service headquarters was deployed early on Tuesday to assist in the operation. The team successfully retrieved the victims from the well, though they were found unconscious and later pronounced dead. The bodies were subsequently handed over to the Village Head of Yancibi, Shamsu Sani. Preliminary investigations suggest that the teenage girl accidentally fell into the well, prompting her father to enter the well in an attempt to rescue her. Unfortunately, he too became trapped, leading to the tragic loss of both lives. The Fire Service extended its condolences to the grieving family and urged residents to exercise caution and avoid entering wells without appropriate rescue equipment and trained emergency personnel. In another development, concerns over the unregulated sale and use of tasers have emerged as a potential threat to public safety in Nigeria. In February 2025, Mary Aderemi was kidnapped by a criminal gang after boarding a taxi in Abuja. The attackers used a taser on her, leaving her paralyzed before tying and blindfolding her. They demanded money and threatened to sell or kill her unless their demands were met. The incident highlights the lack of legal regulations governing the sale and use of tasers in Nigeria. Despite the absence of specific laws addressing tasers, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act (2021) does not regulate their use. The Nigerian Criminal Code refers to "offensive weapons," which includes items such as knives, machetes, and other similar objects. However, it does not explicitly mention tasers. The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has not commented on the widespread availability of tasers, despite inquiries from investigative journalists. The Nigeria Police Force previously stated that current laws do not permit individuals to own tasers, emphasizing that it is a legal matter rather than an opinion. Further clarification on the specific laws regarding taser ownership and usage has not been forthcoming from relevant authorities. As the situation continues to unfold, the need for comprehensive legislation to address the growing concern over unregulated taser use becomes increasingly apparent.