Bandits kill 30 travelers in Zamfara highway ambush
Bandit Attack on Magami-Dansadau Highway Claims 30 Lives
ZAMFARA STATE—In one of the deadliest incidents of banditry reported in 2026, gunmen ambushed travelers on the Magami-Dansadau highway on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of 30 individuals.
Malam Abubakar Gummi, spokesperson for the Zamfara Community Protection Guard, confirmed the attack to reporters on Monday. He stated that the assailants targeted motorists and commuters traveling between Magami and Gusau, firing indiscriminately at vehicles in a coordinated ambush.
Gummi reported that the victims included 21 civilians, eight local hunters, and one member of the community protection guard.
Following the assault, security forces and community guards engaged the assailants in a gun battle. Gummi noted that several bandits were killed during the exchange, though he provided no specific numbers regarding their casualties.
Despite ongoing military operations and community-led initiatives, the Magami-Dansadau highway has remained a hotspot for banditry in the southern region of Zamfara, with frequent attacks affecting travelers, farmers, and traders.
This route serves as a vital link between several rural communities and Gusau, the state capital, making it an essential but perilous corridor for transport and commerce.
According to security sources, the bodies of the victims have been recovered and moved to nearby health facilities, while survivors are receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
As of press time, the Zamfara State Government had not released an official statement regarding the incident.
