Bandits have attacked construction workers along the Funtua-Gusau highway in Zamfara State, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including three soldiers who were escorting foreign engineers.
The assault occurred on Thursday morning around 9 am. at Yandoton-Tsafe in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Advertorial
This incident marks the second bandit attack in the area within a few hours. Earlier in the day, another group of bandits struck Kucheri village, also in Tsafe LGA.
They blocked the busy highway and abducted several travelers.
Local sources reported that both attacks were likely orchestrated by Dan Yusuf, a notorious bandit leader and younger brother of the well-known kingpin Ado Alliero.
Advertorial
According to Yunusa Isa, a resident of Kucheri, the bandits arrived on motorbikes, hid them in a nearby bush, and ambushed vehicles slowed by a damaged road section.
In the second attack at Yandoton-Tsafe, Ibrahim Umar, a Tsafe resident, described how bandits targeted construction workers on site.
The attackers, also on motorbikes, opened fire, killing seven people, including the soldiers. A foreign engineer was reportedly abducted during the assault.
Advertorial
The Funtua-Gusau highway, particularly the 50-kilometer stretch between Funtua and Tsafe, has gained a reputation for danger among travelers, earning it the nickname “Israel” from commercial drivers.
Despite the presence of additional military checkpoints along this stretch, banditry continues to plague the area, particularly affecting villages like Kamfanin-Mailafiya, Yankara, Magazu, Wanzamai, and Kucheri.
