Bandits in Zamfara block Gusau-Funtua highway, kidnap dozens of tourists

Armed bandits have disrupted traffic on the busy Gusau-Funtua highway, kidnapping an unknown number of travellers.

According to Channels Television, Yusuf Tsafe, a stranded passenger, reported that the bandits set up a roadblock on the Tazame axis on Thursday morning. Equipped with about 50 motorcycles, each carrying three people, the bandits seized several passengers and remained on the road for several hours.

Tsafe outlined the incident, saying the bandits started their operation at around 7 a.m. and continued until at least 9 a.m. Despite military efforts to resolve the situation, the road remained blocked, and no vehicles were allowed to pass.

Another passenger confirmed that the Magazu-Kucheri Road, which also links Gusau to Funtua, had been blocked by bandits.

“They entered the road at about 7am, and by about 9am, they were still there. We just parked by the side of the road waiting for the military to clear the road. We saw the bandits taking people into the bushes,” Tsafe said.

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“The military vehicles were moving into the area earlier, and we heard gunfire, but they haven’t opened the road yet. As of now, no vehicles are allowed to pass.”

Another source confirmed to Channels Television that the Magazu-Kucheri Road had been blocked by bandits. “The military asked us to stop because the bandits blocked the road. We are still waiting for them to clear it,” the source added.

ASP Yazid Abubakar, spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, reported that additional troops, including members of the Nigeria Police Mobile Squad, had been deployed to deal with the situation.

Zamfara State, along with other states in northwestern and central Nigeria, has been plagued by armed gangs engaged in mass kidnapping for ransom and widespread looting and destruction. Residents of Moriki town in Zurmi Local Government Area are particularly anxious, as the deadline set by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji to pay a N30 million levy has expired.

In response, Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa condemned Turji as a mad individual and assured that the military would arrest him soon.

Earlier, in April, bandits killed at least three people during a market raid in Tsafe town. In May 2024, bandits attacked more than 50 communities in Zurmi Local Government Area.

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