Zamfara roads have become death traps – APC chieftain warns

ZAMFARA, Nigeria — Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and security analyst, has issued a stark warning about the escalating dangers of travel in Zamfara State due to rampant banditry, kidnappings, and killings.

In his assessment, Shinkafi, who is also a candidate for a senatorial seat, noted that insecurity has engulfed all 14 local government areas of the state, leaving residents and travelers vulnerable to attacks. He pointed to a recent incident where residents confronted the convoy of the Zamfara deputy governor in Bukkuyum Local Government Area as a reflection of the public’s growing dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the security crisis.

Shinkafi highlighted multiple routes, including those connecting Gusau to Tsafe, Anka, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi, as particularly perilous for motorists. He also identified roads servicing rural communities such as Bukkuyum, Gummi, Bagega, Nahuche, and Mayanchi, stating that banditry has severely disrupted transportation and economic activities.

In detailing the violence, he reported that more than 10 security personnel were killed in a recent bandit attack on an escort team accompanying travelers to a market, which occurred shortly before the incident involving the deputy governor’s convoy. “The frequency of these attacks has instilled fear in the population, making them reluctant to visit markets, work in their fields, or travel between communities,” he said.

Shinkafi further raised alarms about security in Gusau, the state capital, where he claims violent incidents, including murders and kidnappings for ransom, have become commonplace. He stated, “People are killed on a daily basis. People are kidnapped from their homes. Payment of ransom is persistent. They cannot go to their farms, they cannot go to market, and all the schools are closed.”

Describing Gusau as a “supermarket for bandits,” Shinkafi argued that the current deployment of security personnel has failed to stem the tide of violence. While he commended the efforts of front-line security operatives, he pointed out challenges such as inadequate manpower, insufficient equipment, and lack of motivation and recognition.

He expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of government funding for security initiatives, questioning whether these investments are yielding tangible benefits for residents.

Shinkafi opposed negotiations with bandits, advocating instead for enhanced military action against armed groups, contending that dialogue could inadvertently encourage further criminal behavior. Nonetheless, he recognized that military measures alone would not resolve the underlying issues, urging the government to tackle unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, deficiencies in the justice system, inadequate infrastructure, the proliferation of illegal firearms, and the impacts of climate change.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase troop deployments to Zamfara and urged Governor Dauda Lawal to prioritize restoring security in the region.

Shinkafi concluded with a caution that insecurity could emerge as a significant concern in the upcoming 2027 general elections, as voters evaluate the effectiveness of their political leaders.

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