Abduction and Arson on Shinkafi Highway
On Tuesday morning, armed bandits intercepted a Golf car on Shinkafi road near Kwanar Jalaf village, Zamfara State, leading to the abduction of six passengers. The assailants not only took the travelers hostage but also set the vehicle on fire, escalating tensions among local residents and road users.
Recent Threats from Bandit Leader
This attack follows closely on the heels of threats made by the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, who warned of impending violence in Shinkafi and Zurmi in Zamfara State, and extending to Isah in Sokoto State, as the new year 2025 began.
Residents’ Accounts and Calls for Action
Local sources, speaking under conditions of anonymity due to security concerns, described how the bandits blocked the road and executed their plan. “Six travellers were abducted and their vehicle was set ablaze; we don’t know if it was Turji group because he had threatened residents of Shinkafi and other local communities around,” a resident noted. The community is now urging the government to intensify efforts to curb the rising tide of banditry in the area.
Police Response Unavailable
Attempts to get an official statement from the Zamfara State Police Command were met with silence, as the spokesperson, ASP Yazid Abubakar, could not be reached for comment, leaving many questions unanswered about the ongoing security situation in the region.
