Bandits block highway in Zamfara for five days, kill six motorists

A major highway in Zamfara state was blocked by bandits for at least five straight days. 

Channels Television reported that the highway which links three local government areas Shinkafi, Moriki (in Zurmi), and Kaura-Namoda, left travellers in fear after the armed men were reported to have killed six motorists.

Sources told the news channel that the bandits blocked the road to protest the closure of the cattle market in Shinkafi LGA. They also reportedly abducted many passengers and set several vehicles on fire.

Police authorities in Zamfara confirmed the incidents, but said Shinkafi–Moriki–Kaura-Namoda Road has since been cleared and is safe for use.

An Indigene of Shinkafi, Aliyu Guraguri told Channels Television that the bandits were angry due to the closure of the cattle market and vowed that nobody would have access to other markets in the LGA having cut off the area from Kaura-Namoda and Gusau, the state capital. 

Guraguri said; 

“There have been incessant attacks along the road. The attacks started around Tuesday last week when they started stopping vehicles, setting them ablaze, kidnapping people, and killing some at the gunpoint.

“They have burnt down six vehicles, killed six motorists, kidnapped several others, and caused an accident involving a trailer carrying potatoes from Shinkafi market. The bandits were saying since the cattle market was closed down, nobody will have access to other markets in Shinkafi.”

The resident lamented that the security situation in Shinkafi has worsened, blaming it on the suspension of telecommunications networks in the area.