Tragedy struck in Zamfara State on Thursday evening as suspected bandits opened fire on a commercial vehicle along the Tsafe-Funtua road, killing at least seven passengers, including women and children, and leaving several others injured.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack happened around 7 p.m., just before the road closure set by the Zamfara State Government as part of new security measures to curb rising attacks on motorists.
A local source said the assailants were riding on motorcycles and crossed the road unexpectedly. On sighting an oncoming commercial bus, they opened fire without warning.
“The bus was filled with women and children. They were shot at close range. Seven people died instantly,” the source said.
In addition to the killings, passengers from two other vehicles were reportedly abducted during the ambush. The number of those kidnapped is yet to be confirmed.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
The Tsafe-Funtua axis has seen repeated attacks in recent months, despite multiple security operations. Thursday’s attack highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of travelers and the effectiveness of road curfew enforcement.
Security analysts continue to call for better surveillance, military patrols, and community-based intelligence to address the worsening insecurity in the region.