Heavily armed bandits stormed the Nasarawa area of Damba community on the outskirts of Gusau metropolis in Zamfara State, positioning themselves at strategic locations to prevent rescue intervention. The attack occurred around 1am, with bandits jumping over a fence and entering a house while shooting sporadically. A female victim narrated that the bandits attacked their area, but they were saved by God, with bullets scattered all over the courtyard of their compound.
Another resident recounted that the bandits went door-to-door, knocking and asking for people in the houses. They claimed the bandits were looking for a specific person but later turned their attention to rustling animals. The bandits discussed how to rustle animals, with some mentioning that the animals were across the main road. They then jumped into a nearby school, according to the resident.
The bandits later switched to rustling small animals in the Nasarawa area but fled after members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and police stormed the area and engaged them. A resident alleged that the bandits passed through an Army security checkpoint in the bush, claiming that the checkpoint was not working properly. The resident expressed dissatisfaction with the current Army commander, stating that their attention was focused on people going to farms.
In a related development, heavily armed bandits have blocked the busy Gusau-Sokoto road at Kuka Mairahhu in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Commuters were stranded and parked at the military base in Fangaltama. A victim narrated that the bandits put them in the middle, blocking the front and back, including the military checkpoint.
Another female victim recounted her experience, saying she was traumatised after her vehicle developed a fault while the bandits had blocked the road. People were stranded and lost focus, and after they thought the road was reopened, two cars that passed before them were abducted. The victim found the doors of the two cars open, but nobody was sighted nearby.
When contacted, the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he was yet to confirm the incidents. He promised to confirm and provide feedback. The incidents have raised concerns about the security situation in Zamfara State.
The blockade of the Gusau-Sokoto road and the abduction of travellers have caused significant disruptions to the movement of people and goods in the area. The incidents have also highlighted the need for improved security measures to prevent such attacks in the future. Authorities have yet to comment on the incidents or provide an update on the situation.
Key points
- Bandits block Gusau-Sokoto road, abduct travellers
- Incidents occur in Zamfara State, Nigeria
- Authorities yet to confirm incidents or provide update on situation
