In a shocking display of violence, armed bandits launched a coordinated attack on the busy Gusau-Funtua highway early Thursday morning, resulting in the deaths of several travelers and the abduction of dozens more. The incident has raised serious concerns about security and safety in the region, which has been grappling with increasing banditry and violent crime.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants, reportedly numbering over 150 and armed with sophisticated weapons, set up roadblocks along the highway around 7 AM. They targeted vehicles passing through the area, leading to chaos as motorists fled in all directions to escape the gunfire. One survivor described seeing bandits on motorcycles swiftly moving along the road, capturing individuals and dragging them into nearby forests.
The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the incident and stated that efforts are underway to rescue those abducted. ASP Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the police, mentioned that mobile police units have been deployed to secure the area and assist in recovery operations. However, as of now, no official casualty figures have been released, and the exact number of abductees remains unclear.
This attack follows a disturbing trend of violence in Zamfara State, where banditry has escalated over recent years. Local communities have suffered immensely as armed groups continue to operate with impunity, often targeting travelers and disrupting daily life. The state has become a hotspot for such criminal activities, prompting calls for more robust security measures from both state and federal authorities.
In a related incident earlier this week near Tazame village, eight security personnel—including five policemen and three soldiers—were killed while attempting to protect road construction workers from similar bandit attacks.
The government is under increasing pressure to address the root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment, and inadequate law enforcement resources. As communities mourn those lost and pray for the safe return of the abducted individuals, there is a growing demand for effective strategies to combat this pervasive threat.