Bandits Attack Funtua-Gusau Road, Kidnap RMAFC Coordinator and Others in Zamfara

Bandits have abducted Alhaji Bashir Abara Gummi, the Zamfara State Coordinator of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), along with several other travelers, in a violent attack on the Funtua-Gusau Road. The incident occurred on Sunday, as the bandits blocked the busy highway, targeting multiple vehicles, and leaving two people dead.

Alhaji Gummi was traveling to Abuja for an official assignment when he was ambushed by the bandits. According to sources within the commission, the attack took place while he was en route, resulting in his abduction alongside other travelers.

A security source familiar with the incident described the harrowing scene. “The bandits blocked the road and unfortunately, some vehicles fell victim to the kidnappers. They opened fire at the vehicles and abducted several travelers,” the source said. The gunfire led to the deaths of two individuals on the spot, before the attackers took their hostages into the surrounding bush.

In a narrow escape, Alhaji Abubakar Dan Maliki, the Auditor General of Zamfara State, managed to evade the bandits. Witnesses reported that Dan Maliki arrived at the scene shortly after the first wave of kidnappings and made a quick decision to turn back. “He saw the chaos and quickly made a U-turn when he realized what was happening,” a witness recounted.

The attack adds to the growing security concerns in Zamfara State, where banditry and kidnappings have continued to disrupt the lives of residents and travelers. The Funtua-Gusau Road, a vital route for both local commuters and those traveling to Abuja, has been particularly affected by such incidents in recent years.

Authorities in Zamfara have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident, and the whereabouts of the abducted individuals remain unknown. Local residents and families of the victims are appealing for swift action from the government and security agencies to ensure the safe return of those kidnapped.

The abduction of a high-profile figure like the RMAFC coordinator underscores the challenges faced by both civilians and officials in the region. It serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threats posed by banditry in the area, leaving many to hope for a stronger response from security forces to restore peace on the region’s roads.