Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Zamfara, Nigeria — In a stark reminder of the enduring insecurity that continues to plague north‑western Nigeria, armed bandits set fire to two vehicles and abducted all passengers traveling on the Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo road in Tsafe Local Government Area yesterday evening. The brazen attack forced commuters to flee for safety and has once again underscored the fragile security situation on key highways across the state.
According to eyewitness reports and security alerts, the assailants blocked the rural thoroughfare shortly before the assault, ambushing unsuspecting motorists and unleashing violence that left both vehicles completely engulfed in flames. The victims, whose identities and number have not yet been confirmed, were seized and taken into unknown locations by their captors.
This latest incident comes as residents and travellers have grown increasingly alarmed by the frequency and audacity of bandit attacks in Zamfara and neighbouring states. The Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo corridor, like many other rural routes in the region, has become a prime target for armed groups that operate with relative impunity in surrounding forested areas.
Security analysts note that the North‑West region remains one of the most volatile parts of Nigeria, with Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna states frequently recording kidnappings, killings and highway blockades attributed to loosely organised criminal gangs often referred to locally as “bandits.” The motives behind these attacks typically include ransom demands, territorial control and the destabilisation of rural communities.
Earlier incidents in Zamfara illustrate the breadth of the challenge. Last November, gunmen ambushed travellers near the Gusau–Tsafe road, killing an APC chieftain and abducting others while security forces were being redeployed to the area. And in October 2025, at least 73 residents were reported abducted from the Buzugu and Rayau villages in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, highlighting the persistent threat to civilian safety in remote communities.
The persistent insecurity on rural roads has far‑reaching consequences for social and economic life in the North‑West. Farmers, traders and professionals who rely on inter‑town travel for business and family obligations face heightened risk, disrupting commerce and deepening economic hardship in areas already struggling with limited infrastructure and services.
Local residents expressed outrage and fear following the latest assault. “We can no longer travel at night or even during the day without fear,” one commuter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told community reporters. “These roads should be safe. We’re tired of living in fear.”
Security forces have periodically launched operations aimed at degrading bandit networks, including air and ground offensives under coordinated campaigns such as Operation Fasan Yamma. Some of these operations have yielded tactical gains, including the elimination of designated bandit commanders and the rescue of abductees. However, experts say that these efforts have struggled to bring long‑term stability due to the vast terrain, porous borders and the adaptive nature of the criminal groups involved.
State and federal authorities have repeatedly pledged intensified counter‑insurgency measures, community policing initiatives and enhanced intelligence sharing to curb the tide of violence. Yet, the recurrence of high‑profile attacks along major routes like Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo suggests that critical gaps remain in both preventive and reactive security capabilities.
The public outcry following this latest attack is likely to intensify calls for more robust protection of travellers and rural populations. Civil society organisations, local leaders and families directly affected by abductions are expected to demand clearer communication from security agencies on ongoing rescue and pursuit efforts, as well as faster deployment of patrols along known danger spots.
As of this report’s publication, no official statement had been released by the Zamfara State Police Command or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps regarding the latest incident, nor had there been confirmation of government or military operations underway to secure the release of the abducted victims.
The attack on the Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo road once again poignantly illustrates the complex security landscape in Nigeria’s North‑West. With bandits demonstrating capacity to strike at will and evade rapid interception, the challenge of safeguarding lives and property remains a pressing concern for authorities and civilians alike.
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