Angry residents in northwest Nigeria block highway to protest banditry

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA ) - Hundreds of disgruntled residents from mostly rural communities in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara state blocked the Gusau-Funtua highway Wednesday to register their frustration over the activities of bandits.

Residents from the Tsafe Local Government Area said they would not allow the free flow of traffic until their grievances were addressed.

Adamu Isyaku Tsafe, who spoke on their behalf, said that despite the Zamfara state government’s disruption of telecommunications services, which has cut off communication between the bandits and their informants in cities and towns, bandits are still stopping them from accessing their farmlands.

During the road blockage, dozens of vehicles became stranded, with many travelers rerouting their trips.

“Communities like Yankuzo, Yanware, Tafkin Kazai and Hayin Alhaji Yartalata in eastern Tsafe are still under the armed bandits’ siege. Even though the rate of kidnappings for ransom has been reduced, armed criminals are still robbing people of their possessions,” said Isyaku.

Another protester, Armayau Aliyu, said: “Their major concern now is how to fuel their motorbikes. Some weeks back, I was riding a bike to my community. About four groups of armed men intercepted me and asked for fuel. I had to make a U-turn to avoid falling into the hands of the rogues.

“They are intercepting bike riders to scoop fuel from them, unlike before, when they kidnapped and demanded a ransom. I could have been abducted if it were some months back,” he added.

Muhammad Shehu, a spokesman for the state police command, declined to comment when contacted.