Bandits Wreak Havoc on Funtua-Gusau Highway, Killing Seven and Abducting Foreign Engineer
A devastating attack by bandits on the Funtua-Gusau highway in Zamfara State has left seven people dead, including three soldiers, and a foreign engineer abducted. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, around 9 am, at Yandoton-Tsafe, in the Tsafe local government area.
This brutal assault was the second to take place on the same road within hours. Earlier, bandits had blocked the highway in Kucheri village, abducting numerous travelers.
Eyewitness Accounts
Locals described the chaos and terror inflicted by the bandits, who arrived on motorbikes and exploited a damaged portion of the road to ambush unsuspecting vehicles. “The bandits kept their motorbikes in the bush, not far from the scene, and attacked vehicles slowing down due to the road’s condition,” said Yunusa Isa, a resident of Kucheri.
In the second attack, bandits stormed a construction site, opening fire on workers and killing seven people, including three military escorts. “The soldiers fought back, but unfortunately, seven lives were lost,” said Ibrahim Umar, a resident of Tsafe. “A foreign engineer was also taken by the bandits.”
A Notorious Stretch of Road
The Funtua-Gusau highway has become a death trap, with a 50-kilometer stretch between Funtua and Tsafe being particularly treacherous. Despite the presence of additional military checkpoints, bandits continue to wreak havoc in the area, which locals have dubbed “Israel.”
Ongoing Menace
The attacks have left residents and travelers in a state of fear, with many calling for increased security measures to tackle the banditry. The Nigerian government has been urged to take decisive action to protect lives and property in the region.
