In a tragic incident near Tazame village in Zamfara State, bandits killed eight security personnel, including five policemen and three soldiers, on Thursday. The security officers were guarding a road construction crew from Satraco Nigeria Limited when they were ambushed by armed bandits.
Mubarak Mohammed, a local resident, described the scene, stating that the security forces were on duty protecting the workers repairing the Gusau-Tsafe-Zaria Road when the bandits suddenly attacked. “The bandits laid in wait on a nearby farm close to the main road,” Mohammed said. “As soon as the police and military personnel arrived, they [the bandits] opened fire instantly, killing some of them.”
The unexpected attack led to a fierce battle between the bandits and the security forces. According to Mohammed, several security personnel lost their lives in the encounter, but some of the attackers were also killed. The intensity of the attack caused panic on the road, with motorists abandoning their vehicles and fleeing into the surrounding bush for safety.
The ongoing construction on the Gusau-Tsafe-Zaria Road has faced frequent interruptions due to bandit attacks. Mohammed explained that the project, which began last year, has only seen a few kilometers completed because of the constant threats from bandits. “This project has been ongoing for several months, but only a few kilometers have been covered because the bandits are always here, either attacking the construction workers or travelers on the road,” he said.
Efforts to reach the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, for comments were unsuccessful as he could not be reached by phone at the time of this report. The ongoing violence in Zamfara State continues to disrupt daily life and essential infrastructure projects, leaving communities in a state of fear and uncertainty.