Bandits in Zamfara State struck again, abducting the chairman of Maru Local Government Area, Alhaji Bello Kawara, and killing four of his security details in a brazen attack along the Gusau-Funtua highway on Tuesday evening, according to police sources.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when the chairman was returning from a political meeting in Gusau. The bandits, heavily armed on motorcycles, ambushed the convoy near the village of Magami. They opened fire, forcing the vehicles to stop, and then whisked away the chairman while fatally wounding four police officers attached to his security team.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers numbered about 50 and used sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles. “They came from the bush and surrounded the convoy. The police tried to repel them, but they were outnumbered. The chairman was forcefully taken into the forest,” the source said.
Casualties and Response
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the attack. In a statement, the police spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said: “We received reports of an attack on the chairman of Maru Local Government Area. Regrettably, four police officers lost their lives. The chairman was abducted, and we have launched a search and rescue operation.”
He added that additional tactical teams had been deployed to the area to ensure the safe return of the chairman and to apprehend the perpetrators. The command called on residents to provide any useful information.
Rising Insecurity in Zamfara
This incident is the latest in a series of attacks by bandits in Zamfara State, which has seen a surge in kidnappings and killings despite government efforts. In 2023 alone, over 500 people were kidnapped in the state, according to a local monitor. The abduction of a top government official underscores the boldness of the criminal elements.
Governor Dauda Lawal has condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.” He reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity but acknowledged challenges due to the vast forests that serve as hideouts for bandits.
Community Reaction
Residents of Maru LGA expressed shock and fear. Malam Umar Sani, a local trader, said: “We are afraid. If they can take the chairman, nobody is safe. The government must do more to protect us.” The abducted chairman is a prominent politician and a close ally of the governor.
Security analysts say the attack suggests that bandits are becoming more organized and targeting high-profile figures to exert leverage on the state government. “They are sending a message that no one is immune,” said Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a security expert.
Search Operations Underway
As of Wednesday morning, the chairman remains in captivity. Security forces have cordoned off the area and are combing the forests. Helicopters have been deployed for aerial surveillance. The police have not received any demand from the kidnappers yet.
This abduction comes barely a week after bandits kidnapped 15 students from a school in the state. The growing crisis is putting pressure on the government to adopt more decisive measures, including military action and dialogue with the criminals.
