Bandits block Zamfara highway, kill travellers, abduct scores
Bandits on Monday launched a deadly attack along the Tsafe-Funtua road in Zamfara State, killing multiple travellers and abducting others.
Sources said the incident occurred around 6 pm in Kucheri village, Tsafe Local Government Area.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, described how the bandits encountered vehicles on the busy road and opened fire, stopping the vehicles and killing some passengers while abducting others.
“They killed some passengers and abducted others,” he said.
Musa Yusuf, another resident, confirmed that security personnel, including members of the DSS, police, and Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG), arrived shortly after the attack, consoled survivors, and pursued the bandits, though they later returned without recovering the victims.
The Tsafe-Funtua road has recently become a notorious hotspot for bandit attacks, despite the presence of numerous security checkpoints along the route.
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Reports suggest that bandits now frequently operate in the area, terrorising travellers almost daily.
In a separate incident in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, bandits abducted dozens of villagers, including women and children.
Witnesses told BBC Hausa Service that the bandits targeted farmers collecting produce along the highway and seized motorcyclists, forcing them into the bush.
A witness told the BBC that “Around 9 am today (Monday), the gunmen blocked the road leading to Kairu village. They saeized motorcycle riders and whisked them into the bush. “At least 36 people were abducted, and one person was killed.”
He said the same day, bandits also attacked Maidumma village, abducting 33 men and women, following a Juma’at prayer session where mosque officials were taken captive.
Although local security forces engaged the attackers, they were unable to rescue the victims.
Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, for comments were unsuccessful.
