In a disturbing incident on Saturday evening, armed terrorists, suspected to be bandits, blocked a major highway in Zamfara State, abducting several passengers from two fully loaded buses. The attack occurred on the Damri to Bakura road, leaving travelers at the mercy of the heavily armed assailants.
A witness to the attack, who reported the incident on social media, revealed the terrifying details, stating, “Few hours ago, bandits blocked the Damri to Bakura road in Zamfara State, abducting all passengers from two fully loaded vehicles.
The witness emphasized the alarming nature of the attack, noting that the terrorists operated with impunity, unchallenged in broad daylight.
The northwest region of Nigeria, including Zamfara, has been increasingly besieged by banditry. These criminal gangs frequently raid villages, loot properties, and commit acts of violence, including mass kidnappings.
The bandits have established camps in a vast forested area that spans Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, making it difficult for security forces to contain their activities.
Efforts to broker peace with these groups have largely failed. In 2019, the Zamfara State government, led by then-Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, entered into a peace agreement with the bandits. However, despite this accord, the state has continued to experience frequent attacks, with communities repeatedly subjected to violence and abductions.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Zamfara and the broader northwest region, where the presence of bandits has made travel perilous and life for residents increasingly precarious. The government and security agencies face mounting pressure to address the escalating violence and restore peace to the affected areas.