Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Monday killed scores of travelers and abducted unspecified numbers along the Tsafe-Funtua road in Zamfara State.

killing several travellers and abducting others in a deadly attack.

Daily Intel gathered that the incident occurred around 6pm near Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area, where the assailants ambushed vehicles on the busy highway, opening fire and forcing some to a halt.

During the attack, many travellers were killed, while others were abducted.

In a separate but related incident in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, bandits also kidnapped dozens of villagers, including women and children.

Witnesses recounted that the attackers targeted farmers returning from their fields and motorcyclists along the highway, abducted 36 people and took others through the bush.

One of the witnesses, who spoke to BBC Hausa Service, revealed that the bandits blocked the road to Kairu village early on Monday morning.

“At least 36 people were abducted, and one person was killed,” he said.

The assailants also stormed Maidumma village later the same day, where they abducted 33 men and women after a Juma’at prayer session, including mosque officials.

Although local security forces attempted to repel the attackers, they were unable to rescue the victims as the gunmen fled into the surrounding forest.

Zamfara State has seen a surge in banditry in recent months, with communities frequently targeted for kidnappings and violent raids.

The Zamfara State Police Command have yet to confirm the incidents.