Bandits allegedly abduct several travellers in Zamfara

Many travellers were feared abducted after bandits blocked the Gusau-Funtua highway, less than a kilometre from Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Friday.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, caused panic among commuters as the bandits reportedly took over the road around the mountainous area of Tsafe.

A commuter who narrowly escaped the attack told Daily Trust that the bandits blocked the road and abducted passengers travelling in a Sharon Toyota vehicle and a petroleum tanker.

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The commuter, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the incident triggered sporadic shooting that lasted for a considerable period.

Two other residents of Tsafe town also confirmed the attack but said they could not ascertain the number or identities of those abducted.

“Quite all right, we heard sporadic shooting, and the sound of the gunfire was very serious. It lasted for a long time before everything returned to normal,” one of the residents said.

Another commuter who passed through the area after security personnel had cleared the road said he saw a Sharon vehicle and a petroleum tanker abandoned on the road with their doors open.

“The security personnel cleared the road for us. As we entered Tsafe town, I saw a Sharon vehicle that had apparently been used to transport passengers. Its doors were open, but there was no one inside, only luggage and bags that had been left behind.

“Only God knows what happened to those who were inside. Perhaps they managed to escape, or perhaps they were abducted,” he said.

The commuter added that he also saw a fuel tanker with its doors open and its engine still running slowly, but there was no one inside.

“It is possible that the people who were inside fled, or perhaps they were kidnapped too,” he said.

He further said a bus painted in yellow colours had overturned near the two abandoned vehicles.

“It is possible that the driver panicked while trying to turn and lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn, or perhaps it was the work of the bandits. Allah knows best,” he said.

Another traveller, who was among commuters stranded while waiting for security personnel to clear the road, commended the security forces for their efforts.

“Honestly, our security personnel did their best. There was gunfire all around, and their efforts gave us hope that the road would eventually be cleared,” he said.

The Gusau-Funtua highway is one of the major routes linking Zamfara and Katsina states and has witnessed security challenges, including attacks and abductions, in recent times.

Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, and the state Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), Alhaji Shu’aibu Lili, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls and text messages sent to them.