By our Reporter
Terrorists locally dubbed as bandits have reportedly blocked the busy Gusau–Funtua highway, kidnapping an unspecified number of travellers.
One Yusuf Tsafe, a commuter who was stranded in the area, said that the bandits set up a roadblock at the Tazame axis early on Thursday.
According to reports, armed with about 50 motorcycles, each carrying three people, the bandits abducted several travellers and remained on the road for hours.
Tsafe described how the bandits began their operation around 7 am and continued until at least 9 am, adding that despite military efforts to address the situation, the road remains blocked, and no vehicles have been allowed to pass.
Another commuter confirmed that the blockage of the Magazu–Kucheri Road.
“They entered the road around 7 am, and till around 9am, they were still there, we just parked by the roadside waiting for the military to clear the road, we are seeing the bandits taking people inside the bush.
“The military guntruck moved to the area earlier, we were just hearing gunshots, but they are yet to open the road. Till now, no vehicle has been allowed to pass.”
Another commuter also confirmed to Channels Television that Magazu – Kucheri Road, which is also the road linking Gusau to Funtua, were blocked in the morning.
“The military men asked us to stop because the bandits blocked the road, we are still waiting for them to clear the road,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, stated that additional troops, including operatives from the Nigerian Police Mobile Squad, have been deployed to clear the road.
Zamfara State, along with other regions in northwestern and central Nigeria, has been plagued by armed gangs carrying out mass abductions for ransom and engaging in widespread looting and destruction.