Bandits operating along the Gusau-Sokoto highway have struck again, this time kidnapping over 26 travelers on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred near Kwaren Kirya village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where the assailants blocked the road and seized passengers from a Toyota 18-seater bus and a Volkswagen Golf vehicle.

According to a resident of the area who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, the frequency of such attacks is alarming, with bandits now blocking the road on a daily basis.

“As I’m talking to you now, about 30 minutes ago, these bandits have blocked another side of the road. They cleared the passengers of an 18-seater bus and a golf. The situation is worrisome because it has become an everyday thing for these people to be blocking the road,” the source stated.

The resident also raised concerns about the village of Balge along the highway, alleging that it serves as a hideout for suspected bandits.

“There is a village when you pass that Kwaren Kirya called Balge, about 80% of settlers in that village are bandits,” the source added. “There was a time they were chased out of the place but a majority of the people there were bandits. We just need the government to help us and station military around the area.”

Calls have been made for increased security measures in the area, urging the government to deploy security outposts to curb the activities of criminals.

As of now, police authorities in the state have not issued any statements regarding the latest abduction incident.