Eight travellers have been killed and eight others abducted after armed gunmen attacked two commercial vehicles along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack occurred at about 4:05pm on Tuesday near Unguwar Chida Village, when heavily armed bandits reportedly blocked the highway and opened fire on motorists and passengers.
According to the Zamfara State Police Command, the attackers intercepted a Sharon vehicle travelling from Sokoto to Gwagwalada and a Sokoto State Transport Authority bus conveying passengers towards Kaduna and Abuja.
The driver of the Sharon vehicle, identified as Halilu Namadi, was shot dead, while six passengers—four men and two women—also lost their lives.
One passenger aboard the SSTA bus was killed, while nine others sustained gunshot injuries. Eight passengers were reportedly abducted and taken to an undisclosed location.
Police and other security operatives responded to the attack and evacuated the injured victims to the General Hospital in Tsafe, while the bodies of those killed were deposited at the mortuary.
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The police said the same group of bandits later attacked Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA, where a 35-year-old resident, Lawali Muazu, sustained a gunshot wound from a stray bullet.
In a follow-up operation, security forces reportedly engaged the fleeing bandits in a gun battle along the Funtua–Gusau Federal Highway as the attackers attempted to intercept a trailer carrying food items.
The police said 17 bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while others sustained injuries and fled.
Security operatives are continuing search-and-rescue efforts to locate the abducted passengers and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Zamfara State Police Command said joint patrols involving the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks.
The command urged residents and motorists to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
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